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The minister with responsibility for Northern Ireland's water infrastructure has said the supply for his own home has been hit by an "unpleasant" taste and smell.

John O'Dowd was speaking in the Stormont assembly after households in some areas reported a "mouldy" taste and odour coming from their tap water.

The Sinn Féin minister said the water, which has been affected by increased algae levels in Lough Neagh, remains safe to drink.

He said he continues to use the water, but he accepted "there is an unpleasant taste and smell".

NI Water say water is 'safe to drink'

People in areas such as Magherafelt, Castledawson, Draperstown, Ballinderry and Cookstown have reported issues with their water supply.

Water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland are handled by NI Water, a government-owned company which is funded by the Department for Infrastructure.

NI Water last week said the taste and smell issues related to naturally occurring compounds which are not harmful to health.

O'Dowd said the issue was a "timely reminder to us all if we needed it" of the need to "tackle the years and decades of neglect of Lough Neagh".

"It's clear to us all now, abundantly clear to us all, that the abuse of our natural environment over decades is coming back now to haunt us," he told assembly members.

The minister said NI Water had confirmed to him "that the water coming out of our taps is safe to drink and use".

"My own home was impacted by this. I use the water in my home," he said.

"I accept that there is an unpleasant taste and smell for drinking water purposes, and some people may wish to have bottled water or other water for that purpose. But for all other purposes, the water is safe and it is safe for drinking as well."

Quality is 'number one priority'

O'Dowd said NI Water's "number one priority is the quality and safety of your drinking water".

"I'm aware of a number of customers that have been reporting a taste and smell in their drinking water supply in specific areas," he said.

"This is related to increased algae levels in Lough Neagh which contain naturally occurring compounds that may cause an unpleasant taste and smell even after going through NI Water's robust treatment process."

He added: "I can confirm that NI Water has confirmed to me that the water is safe to drink."