Contacts, info & advice on water crisis from West Belfast Sinn Féin

Information and advice on water crisis

COLLECTING WATER

Water can be collected from the following distribution points from 10am today

Whiterock Leisure Centre

Brook Activity Centre

Westland House, Old Westland Road, Belfast, BT14 6TE (10am-6pm)

Olympia Leisure Centre

Avoniel Leisure Centre

Subject to supplies being made available from NI Water, there is a limit of 20 litres per person and you must bring your own containers. It is also advised that you boil the water before drinking it.

SHOWER FACILITIES

Shower facilities are available, free of charge, at all Belfast City Council leisure centres from 9am, except Andersonstown and Avoniel Leisure Centres which are currently closed as they are without mains supplies.

Showering facilities are available at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in Lisburn. Shower facilities are currently not available at the Brook Activity Centre.

ESTIMATED RE-SUPPLY TIMES

Can be viewed on the NIW website: http://www.niwater.com/siteFiles/resources/east%208pm.xls

INFORMATION FROM NIW

Within Belfast, households in BT4-BT10, BT11, BT12 and BT13 are experiencing a loss of water supply due to low reservoir levels.

To allow supplies to be restored, water will be switched off for a period of time and then restored. NI Water have stated that resupply times to individual homes will vary and some may continue to suffer a loss of water due to burst pipes, airlocks or the location of the property.

It is expected to be at least a few days before all the repair work to burst pipes is finished and the system gets back to normal.

Supplies are being rotated and it is anticipated that interruptions will last between six to eight hours. Last night up to 35,000 households were affected at any one time. 95% of households are now back on the mains water supply.

The daily supply of water has risen from 600 million litres per day to 850m litres per day (an increase of 40%). But 50m litres are still leaking, mainly in private properties, draining reservoirs.

NIW is urging homeowners and key holders of public and commercial properties to check, fix and/or report these leaks to NIW immediately.

Visit www.niwater.com for the latest information about areas affected by disruption to water services, including details of estimated re-supply times.

CONTACT DETAILS

NIW

Waterline: 08457 440088.

Typetalk for customers with hearing difficulties 0800 0515 446
Email: [email protected]

Floodling Incident Line: 0300 2000 100

Text phone for customers with hearing difficulties 08457 023206

You can report leaks on roads and footpaths using the following freephone number: Leakline - 0800 028 2011

Consumers who have a disability, are an older consumer, have a serious medical condition or need extra help for any other reason can join NIW's Customer Care Register by phoning Waterline - 08457 440 088

Housing Executive repairs

Emergency calls only - 03448 920 901.

If you can't get through, please use the online 'Report a Repair' form available at https://www.nihe.gov.uk/forms/reportrepair/reportarepair.aspx

Belfast City Council Emergency water call centre - 0800 707 6965

Lisburn City Council - 028 9250 9250 between 9am and 10.30pm
Lagan Valley LeisurePlex on 028 9267 2121 between 8am and 10pm (for showering facilities).

STAY WARM AND HEALTHY

The Public Health Agency has issued the following advice on how to keep healthy when mains water is unavailable.

Keeping your hands clean without mains water

It is very important that your hands are clean before cooking food and eating. Many gastrointestinal illnesses are transmitted through dirty hands. The very young and the elderly are especially vulnerable. For this reason, you should:

- use any water you have for hand hygiene first before you use it for showering and bathing

- use antibacterial hand gels or wipes if you have them

- be extra alert in keeping small children's hands clean

Can I drink the water I get from the bowser at the distribution points?

Bottled water should be used in preference for drinking when your water is in short supply. Bowser water is drinkable, however the following steps should be taken:

- ensure that you use a very clean container to collect the water

- if you're unsure regarding cleanliness of the container, then boil the water and cool it before using it for cooking and drinking

Can I brush my teeth with water from a bowser?

The water you use to brush your teeth should be of the same quality as the water you drink. In preference, use bottled water.

Feeding your baby

If your baby is on formula feed, you should:

- use boiled water brought to a 'rolling boil' and make up feed in the usual way

- think about using ready-made preparations as an alternative

- be aware that some types of bottled water may not be suitable for making up infant formula because of high salt levels (sodium concentrations of less than 20mg/l are preferable and not more than 200mg/l). There may be labelling on the bottle that will indicate if it is not suitable for making up infant formula

How do I flush my toilet without mains water?

Flushing a toilet uses three to seven litres of water, so it is important that unnecessary flushing does not take place. Remember that:

- toilets do not require sterile water for flushing

- water from distribution points can be used if you have enough to drink

- waste water - such as dish water - can be used to flush the toilet. You can fill the cistern with that water or pour it down the toilet until the toilet is cleared

- rain water can be collected in buckets and also used for this purpose

How do I keep my house warm without mains water?

Most houses have central heating systems that are based on radiators filled with water that are heated by an oil or gas boiler. There is a chance that these systems will be affected by the shortage of mains water supplies. It is important if your heating is not working to take the following steps:

- phone a plumber to assess why the boiler is not working

- if using alternative heating appliances, ensure they have been adequately maintained and manufacturers instructions are followed

Keep yourself warm

The important message is to keep yourself warm, so:

- wear several thin layers of clothing, as they will keep you warmer than one thick layer

- wear a hat, gloves and scarf if necessary

- when inside, keep moving and try not to sit still for more than one hour at a time, as activity generates body heat

- eat well, with frequent warm healthy meals and drinks - but avoid alcoholic drink as this can lower body temperature

Check on your neighbours

You should also check on any vulnerable and elderly neighbours who may not be able to get water from distribution points. Make sure they have everything they need to keep warm, watered and fed.