Belfast News Editorial: NI Water Babies

In the aftermath of the NI Water Scandal, the true victims are in danger of being sidelined as the blame game commences. Families that were left without water or sewage and Businesses left without essential supplies to ply their trade, powerless to do anything but to wait on information from NI Water.

Given the severe weather across the country, does anyone blame NI Water for the burst pipes? What they blame NI Water for is their extremely poor customer service and communications. With some customers complaining that they had had no water from well before Christmas, it is clear in the eyes of many, that NI Water failed to alert the public as to the growing danger. The company stands accused of being ill equipped for such an emergency, failing to plan for every eventuality and failing to communicate with the public, companies and other authorities. NI Water were criticised for providing information on their website which was out of date, providing information to bodies such as Belfast City Council which was not accurate and failing to communicate fully, with other Water Boards and schemes across the UK.

In a country with Europe's largest fresh water lake, where it constantly rains, NI Water couldn't keep supplies going, leaving many without any water on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The people of Northern Ireland were left to search for bottled water, queue for emergency rationed water at designated sites delivered under police escort, shower at local leisure centres and threats of an ongoing drought as reservoirs continued to empty.

Can the Minster be held responsible for this chaos? In the view of Simply Belfast, NO, for the Minister has already stated his desire to have NI Water brought under the direct control of his department. Can individual politicians be held to account, for the chaos, no, but if they fail to act to resolve future problems then yes. The responsibility for this chaos lies fully with the board of NI Water, it's Chief Executive and it's Customer Service Director.

There are several inquiries underway but the outcome must be obvious that this public company can not operate to serve the public if the public have no confidence in it. As such it is only a matter of time before other heads roll.

Created: 13th January 2011