Tap water is 'rank and mouldy', say residents

13 September 2024

Catherine Doyle and Niall McCracken

BBC News NI

Chris Ennion says he no longer gives the tap water to his son, Theo

Chris Ennion Chris has brown hair. He's a short moustache and beard. His son is wearing a blue jumper. They're leaning against banisters. — Chris Ennion says he no longer gives the tap water to his son, Theo

Residents in parts of Mid-Ulster say their tap water has a "rank" and "mouldy" taste.

People in Magherafelt, Castledawson, Draperstown, Ballinderry and Cookstown have noticed the issues with water.

NI Water said the smell and taste were produced by naturally occurring compounds related to algae in Lough Neagh were not harmful to health.

However, NI Water has not confirmed to BBC News NI how many customers and what areas are affected.

NI Water said the smell and taste are related to algae levels in Lough Neagh and naturally occurring compounds found in beetroot

PA Two swans in a lake covered with blue green algae — NI Water said the smell and taste are related to algae levels in Lough Neagh and naturally occurring compounds found in beetroot

Chris Ennion, who lives in Maghera, said he was now giving his little boy bottle water instead of tap water.

He accused the company of having a "terrible attitude" in their response.

"I don't think because they're saying it's safe they shouldn't do anything about it. I don't think leaving our water source in that sort of state is acceptable," he said.

"I'd like to know if the people that are making those decisions are drinking the water themselves.

"It's just not pleasant, and if the water's warm, it's worse, so if you're showering you can smell a mould smell, which is disgusting."

In their statement, NI Water said: "This smell and taste is related to algae levels in Lough Neagh and naturally occurring compounds found in beetroot and soil."

In response, Mr Ennion said: "I don't want a glass of beetroot."

'I've felt pretty rubbish'

The Maghera resident said the water gets worse when it's sunny.

"It doesn't seem to be a constant thing, like it's noticeable, but it seems to be after we've had really good weather," he said.

Although Mr Ennion has stopped giving the tap water to his son, he is still drinking it because NI Water says it's safe.

"For the last week, I'd say, I've felt pretty rubbish, so I don't know if that's related or not," he said.

NI Water says water goes through several kinds of filter at its water treament facilities

a map of Northern Ireland showing areas where tap water is sourced from Lough Neagh - named towns are Newry, Banbridge, Lisburn, Antrim, Carnlough, Magherafelt, Dungannon, Portadown and part of Belfast — NI Water says water goes through several kinds of filter at its water treament facilities

'Tasted like poison'

A resident said he left his bottle of water sitting over a weekend and came back to find his water had changed colour

Emmett McNally Plastic bottle with water in it that is a shade of neon green/yellow — A resident said he left his bottle of water sitting over a weekend and came back to find his water had changed colour

Residents living in the affected areas have commented on the water on community pages on Facebook with one describing it as tasting "rank" and another "rotten".

Magherafelt resident Lauren McCulla told BBC News NI's The Nolan Show that after seeing comments she tried her own tap water and "was shocked".

She said she usually drinks water which is filtered through her fridge, and when she compared it to the tap water she said the latter "tasted like poison".

"It was like stagnant, mouldy water.

"You couldn't give it to your child and expect them to drink it.

"Why is my fridge able to filter it and they can't":[]}