UNIONISTS HAVE stepped up criticisms of the response to the North’s water crisis, warning that tourists and those planning inward investment would be deterred.
“The impression of a water structure practically collapsing following a relatively short period of Arctic-like conditions catches the attention of successful global investors only in a negative fashion,” said DUP junior minister Robin Newton.
Former Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said his East Belfast constituency had been “hammered” by ongoing problems with supply.
The number of households still cut off from mains supplies is now down to 799, NI Water said last night.
However some 40,000 homes are struggling with interrupted supplies, with no immediate end in sight to the disruption.
With many schools due to return for the new term tomorrow, some principals fear yet more school days will be lost.
The Stormont education department is liaising with NI Water today before publishing a list of those schools unable to open in time for the new term.
NI Water said it would be at least another three or four days before all households and businesses were reconnected. “The focus is on continuing to work to repair bursts on the main water supply system which is impacting on reservoir levels and dealing with air locks in the system,” a representative said.
In addition to his criticisms of the response to the crisis, Mr Newton said Northern citizens “deserve nothing less” than a thorough review of the causes of the disruption which has left some households without water for nearly three weeks.
“As we rebuild our tourism credibility, the coverage of people queuing for water paints a very poor picture,” he said. “With the economic downturn having a significant impact on our traditional industries, tourism has been a lifeline with Northern Ireland attracting record-breaking levels of visitors.”
Northern Ireland’s attractiveness “is being tarnished by the NI Water fiasco”.
Mr Newton warned that problems with supply were damaging the ability to attract investment.
“Getting over the current crisis is the main concern, but ensuring we learn the lessons of this calamity and are able to handle any future emergencies in a more efficient and controlled manner must be embarked on as a priority. Northern Ireland citizens deserve nothing less.”
Sir Reg stepped up his criticism of regional development minister Conor Murphy. “Large parts of East Belfast were without water despite assurances from NI Water that there would be no more ‘rotations’; yet again false information has been put out by the company and thousands of people have been inconvenienced as a result.”
“People fully understand there is an emergency and can cope if they are given accurate information, but despite all the words from Minister Murphy and [NI Water], the problems continue.
“If the authorities can’t give accurate information they should shut up until they can.”