The quality of drinking water in Northern Ireland remains high, according to a new report.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), which is responsible for regulating drinking water quality, published its Annual Report for 2019.

Every year Northern Ireland Water carries out almost 100,000 tests to check that tap water complies with all the stringent water quality standards set by European and national legislation. The results are based on samples taken from water treatment works, service reservoirs and consumers' taps. The latest DWI report reveals that in 2019, over 99,000 tests were completed, with overall compliance of 99.90% being achieved in Northern Ireland.

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Edwin Poots, the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, said: "The Drinking Water Inspectorate’s latest report is reassuring for consumers. The report confirms that the strict regulatory standards are being met and the quality of our drinking water remains consistently high.

"It is the Drinking Water Inspectorate's role to provide independent assurance to consumers that NI Water continues to meet its regulatory responsibilities. Its aim is to safeguard the delivery of safe, clean drinking water for consumers, through the independent and effective regulation of drinking water quality."

The report also said that, notwithstanding the high quality of water recorded this year, there is no room for complacency and NI Water still faces significant challenges. Good operational practice and risk management should be applied at every stage through catchment, treatment and distribution to ensure that NI Water continues to provide safe, clean drinking water to the consumer.