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Water supply problems in Northern Ireland

30 December 2010

Homes and businesses in Northern Ireland have been left without water during the Christmas period.

Martin McGuinness, the Deputy First Minister, and First Minister Peter Robinson have called emergency talks of the Northern Ireland Executive at Stormont Castle.

"Our officials have been in daily contact with NI Water and the Civil Contingencies Group was operational over the Christmas period," the ministers said in a joint statement.

With up to 42,000 customers affected by the shortages, attendees at the December 30th meeting will debate the problems and assess ways of improving the response to the situation.

The thaw following sub-zero temperatures caused pipes to burst across the region and shops have been selling out of supplies of bottled water.

Volunteers have been working to ensure deliveries of water are made to those who are vulnerable or housebound and many locations are still without supplies.

An offer has also been accepted from Alex Salmond, the Scottish First Minister, for 160,000 litres of bottled water to be delivered to Northern Ireland.