Consumers were last night reassured about the quality of drinking water following flash floods.

A spokesman for Northern Ireland Water said the security of drinking water “has not been affected”.

He added: “Despite many people experiencing both internal and external flooding, NI Water can assure customers that their drinking water is completely safe.

“The only exception is an interruption to supply for customers in the South Down area. This is due to a damaged outlet main, which was the result of rain damage over the weekend to the Cavan Road, Rathfriland.”

He added: “We sample and analyse drinking water 365 days a year to check the quality of water at our customers’ taps. Our water supply is stringently monitored and this scrutiny has remained in place during this flooding period.”