Skip the NI Direct Bar
Skip navigation
  • Travelwise NI - Opens in a new window
  • Roads service - www.roadsni.gov.uk - Opens in a new window
  • Download Browsealoud - Opens in a new Window
  • Download Adobe Reader - Opens in a new window
  • Get Word Viewer - This link opens in a new window

Water & Sewerage

Welcome to the Water Policy Division of the Department for Regional Development.

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  

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 Opens in a new window

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 Opens in a new window

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 Items 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 Opens in a new window

IWRP Press Release 12 October 2007 Opens in a new window

Strand 1 Report 12 October 2007 Opens in a new window

Independent Panel's Website Opens in a new window

Terms of Reference Opens in a new window

Press Release 22 October 2007 Opens in a new window

IWRP Press Release 28 January 2008 Opens in a new window

I

Information