By Lisa Ramsden
People are putting their lives at risk by taking to the water at local reservoirs. On Friday, and following reports of dangerous incidents at sites across the Mournes, NI Water reiterated its earlier appeals, reminding people that swimming, diving, and other water activities such as paddle boarding are “strictly prohibited.” It said “inappropriate and unsafe” activities have taken place in the Silent Valley, Ben Crom, and Spelga Dam areas, underpinning this with the clear message that entering the water at these reservoirs “is strictly forbidden.”
This new warning comes after NI Water rangers recently received reports of visitors engaging in dangerous activities, including swimming and diving into the weirs at Dunnywater, outside Annalong, and both paddle boarding and swimming above Silent Valley. To compound matters, NI Water is also aware that some of these participants have been “inappropriately posting their activities” across social media and “wrongly encouraging other people to do likewise.”
NI Water’s Gary Presho said the ban is in place to save lives and spoke of the “inherent dangers” people are placing themselves in. “It is not a case that we prohibit these activities to stop people having fun. The ban is there to save lives; it is as simple and stark as that. There are significant risks with the activities being observed and reported. Having watched the footage myself, the fear is that others will follow, and it may only be a matter of time until someone is seriously injured or worse—there could be a fatality,” he warned.
Gary continued: “NI Water is urging the public not to take part in any water activities due to the inherent dangers. Those posting their activities online are encouraging others to take part in something that could ultimately cost them their lives. Reservoirs might look like the perfect place to cool down on a warm day, but even an innocent paddle can quickly turn into an emergency. Reservoirs pose significant safety risks like cold water temperatures, strong currents, hidden hazards, and difficulty exiting the water.”
He also explained that NI Water has explicitly stated that its reservoirs and the lands around them are working sites and are therefore dangerous and not suitable for any water activities. The company is reminding visitors that these bodies of water can be deceptively dangerous, with hidden hazards and cold-water shock posing serious risks.
Gary pointed out that inland open waters such as reservoirs are leading locations for accidental drownings, with recreational activities accounting for 48 per cent of deaths, especially during July. This, he added, “further emphasises the need to remain vigilant and treat our waterways with respect.”
He also emphasised that the water in reservoirs has bitterly cold temperatures, even in the summer months; strong underwater currents; and is often much deeper than people perceive. “Please always remember to play safe and stay safe around our reservoirs and behave responsibly by adhering to our safety signage on site,” he concluded.
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