Warning to Stormont - current level of water infrastructure funding ‘puts public health at risk’

NI Water’s Head of Investment Management, Stephen Blockwell, has set out the funding situation facing NI Water after consulting councils on their development plans.

He said: “Due to this historical under-investment, major parts of our cities and over 100 towns across Northern Ireland currently have little or no capacity left in their sewer and wastewater systems.

“Significant and sustained investment is needed for wastewater and water infrastructure across Northern Ireland. NI Water knows all of the council’s growth ambitions, we know what needs to be done in each council area and we have the plan and the skills to deliver it.

“However, the Executive needs to allocate adequate levels of capital investment to NI Water. If future levels of capital investment continue at historic or current levels there will be significant constraints on economic growth, damage to the environment and risk to people’s health.”

Examples of those risks include dangers associated with overflows from manholes into public highways or gardens and driveways. High frequencies of discharges from sewers reaching the sea have also been identified as a threat – this could affect blue flag status and potentially lead to increased infections for surfers and swimmers.

NI Water recently attended Lisburn/Castlereagh and Armagh/Banbridge/Craigavon councils, to update representatives on infrastructure plans going forward and the level of investment needed in each area.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has identified it will need up to 13,500 new houses by 2032, predominantly in Lisburn City, the greater urban areas of Lisburn and Castlereagh and the towns of Carryduff, Hillsborough and Moira. Key employment areas will be Blaris, Purdysburn, Knockmore, Derriaghy, Dundonald, Carryduff and Newtownbreda.

In its future growth plans, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council has identified by 2030 it will need 19,800 new houses. Armagh City, Banbridge town and the Craigavon Urban Area, including Portadown and Lurgan, will be the main hubs for growth, with predictions that 12,200 new jobs will be needed.

Stephen Blockwell said: “New housing developments and employment opportunities have been identified. However, without adequate sewer networks and upgrades to wastewater treatment works, much of this development and economic growth may not be able to happen.

“The level to which NI Water can invest in its infrastructure is not the result of the company’s commercials and finances; rather it is set according to what the Executive decides to allocate to NI Water from within its annual Northern Ireland Capital budget.

“For many years the Executive has not allocated what has been needed. There is no additional capability for increased investment outside of this mechanism – no other water utility in the UK is required to operate in this way.”