The recent water supply problems in Northern Ireland were undoubtably inevitable given the chronic under investment in Northern Ireland’s water infrastructure. Even NIW on their website admit there has been chronic underinvestment and there is a big gap in performance compared to water companies on the mainland.
Water is a very long term businesses (with water mains on average over a 100 years old). But although politicians can delay expenditure, eventually, as the events of the last week have shown the inevitable consequences will result.
With the ‘blame game’ now starting, this may distract from the real issue of whether the politicians (and the voters who put them there) are prepared to take the tough decision and sanction massive investment in improving the infrastructure. With the public sector spending cut backs, the only realistic way to pay for the investment is to start charging for water. Water is still ‘free’ in Northern Ireland and while the politicians refuse to take the tough decisions on charging its certain that water supply problems will reoccur and politicians (and voters) only have themselves to blame.
Management can't escape blame either, they know the problems that under investment will cause. Its their duty to make sure the risks being taken are explicitly clear. The key to good management is to plan ahead and act early. NIW may not be able to stop problems occurring but that does not excuse poor communication compounded by inadequate emergency planning.
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