A new Environment and Heritage Services (EHS) report on the quality of tap water in Northern Ireland for 2004 has detailed how our drinking water measures up favourably against the rigorous quality standards which came into force on 1 January 2004. Overall, drinking water quality is perceived as "good", with compliance at consumer taps around 98.65%, in comparison to 99.92% in Wales and 99.94% in England.
Environment Minister Jeff Rooker has said these standards have reset the baseline for assessing and judging drinking water quality in Northern Ireland and across the UK. There is however still room for improvement, with the implementation of the DRD Water Service's major ongoing capital works programme, which will hopefully improve water treatment works and the water mains distribution system.
