Freeze hitting water to 400 homes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8433742.stm

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Up to 400 householders in Northern Ireland are experiencing difficulties with water supplies because of freezing conditions, NI Water has said.

Since Sunday the company has taken more than 8,000 calls.

Areas currently affected are in the north and west of NI include Omagh, Ballygawley, Londonderry, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Enniskillen, and Dungannon.

Heavy snow and ice has also forced the closure of the Ulster American Folk Park at Omagh on Wednesday.

AREAS AFFECTED OmaghKillyclogherCastledergCarrickmore Ballygawley GortinFeenyLondonderry Ballymena BallymoneyEnniskillenDungannon

NI Water said that levels in a number of reservoirs have increased which has reduced the number of customers without supply.

Bulk tankering of water supplies to service reservoirs in the affected areas is continuing.

"Our staff have been on the ground in the affected areas throughout the incident working around the clock to help restore customer supplies," the company said.

"Engineers have also been taken off other non-critical duties and drafted in to deal with the incident."

It warned that with a thaw expected to arrive in the next few days there may be an increase in the number of burst watermains and leaks on private pipework.

NI Water has asked anyone who notices burst water mains or "runs of water" to contact the company on 08457 440088.