The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has expressed disappointment over the decision to cease any further installation of water meters in domestic properties.

In March 2015 NI Water increased its non-domestic water and sewage charges by an average of 2.4%, resulting in farmers and other metered businesses continuing to carry the burden of water charges for the whole of Northern Ireland.

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UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said it is discriminatory for metered business customers, and in particular farmers, to be expected to continue to cover these costs for the whole of the NI population.

He said: "We have been of the opinion for years that everyone should pay for the water they use and that universal metering should be introduced by NI Water but we also recognise that this would bring added costs to domestic home owners at a difficult economic time."

(CD/LM)