Health warning as NI water crises escalates

Northern Ireland's escalating drinking water crisis is in danger of developing into a major health emergency, it has been claimed.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses are still without supplies as engineers struggle to plug burst pipes. Some families have not had fresh running water for eight days.

Northern Ireland Water (NIW), the company at the centre of the crisis, said it was unable to say when supplies would be fully restored.

NIW has faced more widespread public anger over the company's lack of contingency plans and its abysmal failure to provide adequate and up-to-date information.

But with the onset of a winter vomiting bug, some doctors warned the crisis could quickly develop into a major health issue, especially among the elderly.

Dr Peter Maguire, a GP in Newry, said: "This is really now a public health emergency. Northern Ireland Water has been shambolic in their response. People with young families have not been able to flush toilets and wash themselves, never mind get access to drinking water."

Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy is having talks with officials later to consider ongoing operations and the sort of swift action needed to deal with the situation.