Altnagelvin: Burst water main affects hospital's water supply

A disruption to the water supply at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry has occurred due to a burst water main, necessitating the distribution of bottled water to patients by hospital staff. The issue arose from a damaged pipe located on Glenshane Road, but NI Water (NIW) has now completed the necessary repairs. Despite this, the high flow caused by the burst resulted in some discolouration within the water network.

NI Water confirmed that its technicians remain on-site conducting remedial flushing to address the discolouration and ensure water quality. Throughout the day, they maintained direct communication with the hospital to coordinate their efforts. The Western Health Trust, responsible for managing the hospital, emphasized that patient, visitor, and staff safety is their foremost concern, and they have implemented alternative arrangements to maintain the safe delivery of healthcare services.

One patient receiving treatment at Altnagelvin recounted to BBC News NI that nursing staff advised against drinking water from the hospital’s supply due to the issue. The patient described how pitchers and glasses of water were initially provided but were later removed by a nurse who instructed patients not to drink the water, saying, “She didn’t seem panicked but she emphasised do not be drinking that.” Subsequently, bottled water was made available, with the patient receiving a half-litre bottle from the nursing team.

A spokesperson for the Western Health Trust explained that the hospital was notified late Tuesday afternoon about potential water discolouration after staff reports. Immediate business continuity protocols were activated, involving the estates, infection prevention, support services, and hospital management teams to evaluate and reduce any risks. Working closely with NI Water, efforts focused on prioritizing Altnagelvin’s water needs. NI Water confirmed that repairs to the burst main were successfully completed by Tuesday night, and though some discolouration may still be present, it is expected to clear quickly. They stressed that while the hospital’s water supply was not interrupted, low water quality was detected earlier in the day. The utility highlighted that pipe bursts can happen for various reasons including pipe age, condition, location, or weather, and expressed gratitude to customers for their patience during the incident

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