Northern Ireland Water has offered an assurance over drinking water from Lough Neagh following months of controversy about the freshwater lake.
An official said the water “remains to be safe” as the company made a presentation to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
The comments came after Sinn Féin councillor Annemarie Logue asked about the impact of blue green algae, which was visible in the lough last summer.
Toxic blue-green algae bloomed across wide swathes of the lough last summer, with a combination of agricultural run-off, sewage, the emergence of zebra mussels and potentially sand dredging to blame.
The NI Water spokesperson said there had been “issues last year around taste” and there have been “some complaints about odour”.
“It does require enhanced treatment but the water is safe and safe to drink,” he stated.
“Blue green algae is a challenge and will be a challenge for years to come, I believe the expectation is that it will be back this year.”
- Blue green algae confirmed at Toome CanalOpens in new window
- Hillside Dairy Farms fined over ‘grossly polluted’ Co Tyrone riverOpens in new window
- Lough Neagh: New environment minister to meet Earl of Shaftesbury, owner of large parts of shore and bedOpens in new window
- Collective action needed to tackle Lough Neagh crisis, with public ownership on table, minister says following Earl of Shaftesbury meetingOpens in new window
- Lough Neagh: Tumultuous, tragic history, death, destruction, murder and centuries of controversyOpens in new window
He stressed that NI Water would “do its best to ensure the quality of water” for customers.
“It is safe and remains to be safe but odour is an issue for our customers,” he added.
The DUP’s John Smyth also asked about the presence of micro plastics in water.
But the official replied: “We test across all the problems out there. Micro plastics is an issue that the industry is trying to work through”.
Investment in the water network and waste water systems is planned in several areas in the borough. Councillors were advised all future investments are subject to funding by the Northern Ireland Executive.
They also heard potential development sites are “heavily restricted” in terms of connection to NI Water’s infrastructure which the company has described as “a major concern”.
