Owners of almost 180 Northern Ireland reservoirs could face prosecution under regulations for Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015
Owners and managers of almost 180 reservoirs across Northern Ireland could face criminal prosecution, including prison sentences, under new regulations being considered at Stormont tomorrow.
Critics say the proposed regulations for the Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 could impose costly professional management requirements on reservoir owners, with initial inspections alone estimated to cost around £5,000.
Potential offences include failing to register a reservoir, notify the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) of a change of manager, arrange inspections or comply with enforcement notices. Some of the most serious offences carry potential prison sentences of up to two years.
DFI says the reforms are necessary to reduce flooding risks to an estimated 83,000 people living or working close to the 172 controlled reservoirs.
The proposals are due to be considered again by the Assembly's Committee for Infrastructure tomorrow.
However, questions remain over who will ultimately pay the ongoing costs of meeting the new requirements.
DfI figures show that, of 176 reservoirs identified in November 2024, 93 were managed by Northern Ireland Water, 45 were privately owned, 18 were managed by councils, 12 by not-for-profit organisations and eight by government departments. More recent figures put the total at 172.
The Ulster Angling Federation (UAF) has warned that the reforms could expose farmers, private landowners, estates, charities and community organisations to significant financial pressures and potential criminal enforcement.
"Under the proposed framework, failure to comply with certain statutory safety requirements could lead to enforcement action and, in serious cases, criminal prosecution," the UAF said.
"We absolutely support reservoir safety, but we must ensure that organisations are given clear guidance, appropriate support and a fair opportunity to meet their responsibilities, or risk losing these vital assets."
The federation highlighted the example of a small, volunteer-run angling club which has owned and maintained a reservoir for generations, funding its activities through membership fees.
It warned that a new housing development downstream could increase the reservoir's risk classification, despite the club making no changes to the reservoir itself.
The club could then face additional engineering supervision, inspections or expensive safety works which its members could not afford, the UAF said.
It added that similar concerns applied to farmers, private landowners, charities and other community organisations.
The federation also questioned what would happen if a property developer agreed to contribute towards additional reservoir safety costs, but subsequently ceased trading.
It is seeking clarification on whether proposed DfI grants would cover ongoing management expenses as well as initial inspections.
DfI has estimated that an initial inspection report could cost around £5,000 and is considering financial assistance for reservoir managers. However, the UAF argues that this would not address continuing management and maintenance costs.
Concerns about the impact on angling clubs were raised by Infrastructure Committee chairperson Deborah Erskine in 2024.
She said: "We are talking about small groups of men who, as a hobby, go out fishing. It is a recreational thing for those people, yet they would be taking on management of a reservoir, which could have serious consequences for them."
DfI was invited to comment.