NI Water has today announced there will be no change to non-domestic water and sewerage charges - from 1st April 2016 charges will hold at the 2015/16 levels.
However, trade effluent charges will increase by 2.8%.
According to the water company, the decision to freeze measured and non-domestic unmeasured tariffs will mean nearly 80,000 non-domestic customers will benefit from a ‘real’ reduction to their water and sewerage charge.
NI Water Director of Finance & Regulation, Ronan Larkin said:
“NI Water’s ability to hold water and sewerage charges for 2016/17 at the same levels as 2015/16, is testament to our continued efficiency while improving services, and investing in essential infrastructure. Ideally we would have liked to have held the trade effluent costs which will rise by 2.8%, however, these customers are also predominately measured water and/or sewerage customers, and as such will still benefit.”
“This announcement is excellent news for local businesses who continue to trade in difficult economic conditions. Taking into account inflation, our non-domestic customers are paying 12% less, on average, for their water and sewerage services than they did four years ago.”
“We have worked closely with the Utility Regulator and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) to ensure the tariffs represent good value for our customers.”
NI Water will now mail information to approximately 80,000 non-domestic customers to notify them of the forthcoming pricing changes and specifically, how they will be applied.
NI Water is required to annually review the charges levied for water and sewerage services and agree them with the Utility Regulator in order that customers pay the fairest rate for the services they receive. The new charges, to be reflected in bills from April, follow the Utility Regulator’s decision on the prices NI Water should charge customers between 2015-21.
Utility Regulator welcomes price freeze
The Utility Regulator has welcomed the news that non-domestic water and sewerage charges for the 2016/17 financial year will remain largely unchanged.
Commenting on the announcement, Utility Regulator Chief Executive, Jenny Pyper said:
“I am pleased that, for the majority of NI Water’s non-domestic customers, the water and sewerage charges for this coming year will remain largely unchanged. Whilst there is an increase of 2.8% to trade effluent charges, those customers affected, will be benefitting from no change in their water and sewerage charges.
“This year, NI Water has introduced a new Nett Annual Valuation (NAV) which may result in an increase for some customers. It is important that the price paid for water and sewerage services reflects the actual cost of delivering these services to business properties and that charges are fair to all customers.
“We monitor and approve NI Water’s regulated water and sewerage charges by carrying out a review of their annual Scheme of Charges submission.”
The announcement marks the conclusion of a process that is undertaken by the Utility Regulator and NI Water, in consultation with the Department for Regional Development and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.
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