NI Water reported on 15 January 2026 that cold snaps since the beginning of the month had led to a considerable rise in burst pipes across its network and on private property. The utility said its teams were out finding and repairing bursts on the public network, and asked the public to check their own property for leaks.
Paul Bryce, Head of Water at NI Water, said the utility was asking households, farmers, caravan owners and landlords to check any location with water supplies, including empty buildings, drinking troughs, sheds, yards, taps and outhouses. He also said a water meter can indicate a burst, and that quick repairs can help prevent unnecessarily high water bills.
"NI Water is asking the public to be proactive; if you discover a leak, repair it if it's on your property or report it to NI Water if it's on the public network."
NI Water set out separate steps for a leak on private property and for a leak or burst on the public system, such as on streets, pavements or public spaces. Its guidance is summarised below.
| Situation | What NI Water advises |
|---|---|
| Leak or burst on your property | Turn off the stop valve, usually under the kitchen sink, turning clockwise; use towels or thick cloths to block escaping water; turn on all taps to lower water pressure and reduce flooding, then turn them off once fixed; contact a plumber, finding an accredited professional by postcode at watersafe.org.uk; notify your insurance company to check cover for water damage1 |
| Leak or burst on the public network | Report it straight away using the online form at niwater.com/report-a-leak-or-burst-pipe, Leakline on 0800 0282011 (free, open 24/7), or NI Water's webchat or social media channels1 |
| Outdoor taps | Fit a free insulated tap cover, available at getwaterfit.co.uk while stocks last1 |
With further cold snaps possible through the winter months, NI Water said it was urging the public to protect outdoor taps from freezing and the damage caused by leaks and bursts. It gave no figure for the number of bursts recorded, the areas worst affected, or how long repairs were expected to take; these have not been reported.
Why it matters for households
The rise affects two groups: households supplied through the NI Water network, where bursts are being repaired by the utility, and households and other property owners with pipes on their own land, who are responsible for finding and fixing leaks there. NI Water's advice is that occupants check for leaks, watch the water meter for signs of a burst, and act quickly, since it says prompt repairs can help prevent unnecessarily high water bills. For anyone dealing with escaping water, the utility's own steps cover shutting off the supply at the stop valve, soaking up water with towels, and running taps to reduce pressure. Its guidance on frozen pipes and on what to do if a pipe bursts covers the same ground for households preparing in advance, and its pointers on finding leaks and who repairs them set out where responsibility sits. The wider home emergencies section covers fire, carbon monoxide, gas leaks and burst pipes together.
What happens next
NI Water said further cold snaps are possible throughout the winter months and that its teams continue to find and repair bursts on the network. No date has been given for completing repairs, and no estimate of the number of properties affected has been published. Households can report public network leaks at any hour on Leakline, 0800 0282011, or through the online form.
Home Emergencies
Frozen Pipes Thawing
What to Do If a Pipe Bursts
