Tests find NI water safe to drink

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Water in Northern Ireland has been declared safe to drink following a series of tests.

A third test of water from a treatment plant which supplies 220,000 households found no contamination, Northern Irleand Water said.

A directive to boil drinking water was lifted on Tuesday evening following a third test.

NI Water issued the warning after a potential problem was spotted at Dunore Point treatment plant at Lough Neagh.

Earlier on Tuesday, a second test by an independent laboratory found no contamination but the boil notice remained until the third test was completed.

'Inaccurate'

The company welcomed confirmation that there was no safety issue with drinking water supplies and thanked its customers for their patience over the last 24 hours.

A spokesperson said: "This third set of results once again confirms that the initial test, which suggested there may be a problem, was inaccurate.

"The water was, and is, completely safe to drink. Customers should be reassured that the public health authorities and Northern Ireland Water treat the issue of public safety as our number one priority."

The Northern Ireland Public Health Agency had advised people affected by the alert to boil water and allow it to cool before drinking it, using it to prepare salads, fruit or vegetables that will not be cooked, brush teeth or use it in any other direct way.