Location: Home > Water & Sewerage Water & Sewerage
Welcome to the Water Policy Division of the Department for Regional Development.
Minister Updates Assembly on Conclusion of Review into Major Water interruption
The Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy made an Oral Statement to the Assembly on Tuesday 08 March 2011 updating the Assembly on conclusion of the review into the major interruption to water supplies over the Christmas and New Year period.
Full Statement 08 March 2011
Ministers Statement on the Major Interruption to Water Supplies Arising from the Recent Severe Weather
The Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy made an Oral Statement to the Assembly on Monday 17 January 2011 about the major interruption to water supplies arising from the recent severe weather. The full statement can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Full Statement 17 January 2011
Review of Financial Assistance for Domestic Properties not Served by a Water Main
DRD has launched a consultation on proposals to review the provision of financial assistance for domestic properties not served by a water main. It is estimated that there are around 1,200 properties, mostly situated in rural areas, not able to access the water mains.
The aim of the review was to consider ways in which people could get access to water mains or to a wholesome water supply. The consultation document looks at a number of options to address the issue including:
- Maintaining the existing level of the Reasonable Cost Allowance (RCA)
- Continuing to provide an RCA but at an increased level
- Paying a grant to NI Water to provide a mains connection to individual households or groups of properties; and
- Introducing a grant scheme for the provision of private bore wells rather than assistance for water mains extensions.
A copy of the consultation document in electronic form can be obtained by clicking the following link.
Alternatively, copies may be obtained by contacting:
Water Policy Division
Department for Regional Development
Room 122 Clarence Court
10 – 18 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8GB
Tel: (028) 9054 2985
The consultation closes on 4 February 2011
In November 2010, the Department for Regional Development published a consultation on proposals to review the provision of financial assistance for domestic properties not served by a water main. The consultation ended on 4 February 2011 and the Department received approximately 50 responses. In addition, officials held public meetings in three locations to gauge the reaction of the people in some of the areas that are not served by water mains. A report summarising respondents’ views and the Department's proposals on improving financial assistance for householders to obtain a wholesome water supply can be obtained by clicking the following link
"Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 - The Preservation of Services and Civil Emergency Measures (Relevant Undertaker) (Northern Ireland) Direction 2010"
The Preservation of Services and Civil Emergency Measures (Relevant Undertaker) (Northern Ireland) Direction 2010 came in to operation on 02 August 2010 when it was sealed by the official seal of the Department for Regional Development. The Direction was made to lay out requirements and facilitate DRD to give Guidance for the Northern Ireland water industry to make plans and provision for mitigating the events of a civil emergency and to preserve services.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department for Regional Development and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation
This document is an agreement between the Department for Regional Development (DRD) and the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (NIAUR) covering the work of the regulation of Northern Ireland Water. NIAUR is an independent non-ministerial government department responsible for economic regulation of the water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland.
MOU between DRD and NIAUR.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) betweeen the Department for Regional Development and the Department of the Environment
This document is an agreement between the Department for Regional Development (DRD) and the Department of the Environment (DOE) covering the work of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). DWI is part of DOE but works on behalf of DRD regulating the quality and safety of public water supplies provided by Northern Ireland Water.
DRD-DOE MOU regarding DWI
The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 came into operation on 20 April 2010. The Regulations amend the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 in order to meet Drinking Water Directive requirements. The Amendment Regulations and accompanying Explanatory Memorandum and Transposition Note can be found via the links below.
The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations(Northern Ireland) 2010.pdf
Water Policy Division - The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 Explanatory Memorandum and Transpositon Note pdf.
The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations(Northern Ireland) 2010 came into operation on 20 April 2010. The Regulations are made jointly with the Department of the Environment and satisfy the Drinking Water Directive requirement of dealing with water quality failures which are attributable to the domestic distribution system in premises where water is supplied to the public. The Regulations and accompanying Explanatory Memorandum and Transposition Note can be found via the links below.
Water Policy Division - The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations(Northern Ireland) 2010 Final Explanatory Memorandum and Transposition Note pdf.
The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 pdf
Social & Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage Services (2010-13)
Social and Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage Services (2010-13) was laid before the Assembly on 21 April 2010 under Article 7 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
This Guidance sets out how Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy expects the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation to contribute to key areas of social and environmental policy in its regulation of water and sewerage services provided by Northern Ireland Water.
Copies of the Final Guidance, Draft Guidance and Consultation Report can be downloaded from the links below, or can be obtained by contacting the Department at waterpolicy@drdni.gov.uk.
Final Social and Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage Services 2010-2013.pdf
Draft Guidance Consultation Document pdf
Consultation Report pdf
Water Stakeholders Partnership Agreement
The statutory bodies involved in the governance of the water industry – the Utility Regulator, the Consumer Council, NIW, DRD, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the NI Environment Agency established a Water Stakeholders’ Steering Group in October 2008. This group, consisting of a senior representative from each organisation, provides a forum for high-level oversight of future water and sewerage investment priorities and discussion of major cross cutting issues. A Partnership Agreement was endorsed at the first meeting of the Steering Group.
Water Stakeholder Partnership Agreement (PDF 348kb)
Minister Welcomes the Publication of the Report on Strand 2 of the Review of Water and Sewerage Services
Conor Murphy MP MLA welcomed the publication of the Report on Strand 2 of the Independent Review of water and sewerage services. The full text of the statement can be accessed by clicking on the following link
Strand 2 Press Release 28 January 2008 
Review of Water and Sewerage Services: Strand 2 Report
The Independent Water Review Panel (IWRP), led by Paddy Hilliard, published it's second and final report on 28 January 2008. The Report contained over 40 recommendations dealing with management, governance and delivery of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland.
The full text of the report can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
Strand 2 Report 28 January 2008
Background
The current framework for the utility is set out in the Water and Sewerage (NI) Order 2006 which provides for an "undertaker" to run water and sewerage services. A company - Northern Ireland Water - was appointed as sole water and sewerage undertaker for Northern Ireland. The company is 100% owned by the Government (through DRD). It took over from the Department's Water Service Agency from 1 April 2007. The land, assets and staff of the Water Service Agency transferred to the company on 1 April.
 More Details
Review of Water & Sewerage Services
On 10 May 2007 the Northern Ireland Executive confirmed that proposed new annual charges for water and sewerage would not be imposed in 2007-08 and that they would establish a comprehensive review to address the longer term approach that should be adopted in relation to financing water and sewerage services.
Under the terms of reference announced by the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy MLA, to the Assembly on 11 June 2007, the review had two strands. The first strand focused on the cost of water and sewerage services and how these will be funded and the second strand concentrated on the wider aspects of the management and governance arrangements for water and sewerage services.
The Independent Water Review Panel (IWRP), led by Professor Paddy Hillyard, published its Strand 1 Report on 12 October. The Report contained over 30 recommendations on the fundamental issues of financing water and sewerage services and the level of funding required.
A copy of the Strand 1 Report as well as the press releases issued by the Department of Regional Development and the Independent Water Review Panel are listed below.
DRD Press Release 12 October 2007
IWRP Press Release 12 October 2007
Strand 1 Report 12 October 2007
Independent Panel's Website
Terms of Reference
Press Release 22 October 2007
IWRP Press Release 28 January 2008
I
|
( 16kb)