NI Water has once again flagged up its ongoing concerns over the impacts of reduced funding on planned infrastructure investment and reiterated the need for sustained investment over multiple Price Controls (18+ years).

The warning came at a meeting with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council representatives on Monday this week where NI Water provided an overview of the company’s planned infrastructure investments, challenges, and development constraints over the coming years.

The water company emphasised its commitment to finding solutions and exploring all available options to work with Councils and developers to progress the Council’s ambitions for the people in their area.

NI Water’s Head of Investment Management, Dr Stephen Blockwell, said:

“NI Water is ready and capable to deliver for the people of Antrim & Newtownabbey. However, recent potential budget reductions of approx. £900m over the next 3 years could severely restrict the progress we hoped to make.”

At the meeting, NI Water explained the necessity of appropriate funding to upgrade the system and accommodate investment and growth in Northern Ireland.

“This is not a ‘wish list’ or a ‘nice to have.’ This is the blueprint that will help us ensure NI Water can deliver in a strong, modern regional economy,” Dr Blockwell added.

He continued:

“NI Water is ready to provide engineering solutions to short term constraints where possible. The full funding identified by the Utility Regulator in its Final Determination, PC21 (Price Control period 2021-2027) is required to fulfil the vision of economic expansion in Antrim and Newtownabbey. Potential development sites are already currently restricted in terms of connection to NI Water’s infrastructure which is a major concern."

“However, even with full funding, this investment will only begin to address the sewer and wastewater capacity issues. It will require further investment during future Price Control periods to allow new housing and business development to proceed in some areas.

“The message is clear. While NI Water has an ambitious plan, sustained investment is needed for wastewater and water infrastructure across Northern Ireland.”

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Antrim, Ballyclare, Whitehouse & Toome wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments. NI Water can consider the provision of positive planning responses where developers can demonstrate:

• Like for like development
• Extant previously approved development (where NI Water has given a positive response)
• Where the development will offer a reduced loading on the sewer network, which may include storm separation and/or attenuation

During PC21 restrictions will be eased but not fully removed in various locations. A sustained investment will be required over multiple Price Controls (18+ years).

The Utility Regulator published its Final Determination of what it believes Northern Ireland Water should deliver in both levels of service and capital programmes during the six years from 2021 to 2027.

The Regulator’s Determination also determines the level of costs and finance required to be invested by Northern Ireland Water’s shareholder, the Department for Infrastructure, on behalf of the Assembly Executive over the six years, beginning in April 2021.