Minister for Infrastructure, John O'Dowd, has announced that household water charges will not be considered as future funding solutions for NI Water.

Mr O'Dowd said that this is a "complex matter" which will require a collaborative approach across the Assembly and the Executive alongside the appropriate level of funding required to deliver essential services.

Speaking ahead of Monday's Assembly debate on the issue, Minister O'Dowd stated:

"I am pleased that the Assembly is having the debate on the challenges facing NI Water as it’s a significant issue which affects the delivery of essential public services. We all want to see a sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure which benefits everyone across our society.

-- Advertisement --

"The challenges that we are witnessing with water infrastructure is a consequence of underfunding for basic public services over many years, by successive Tory Governments. The solution therefore does not lie in charging hard-pressed workers and families for an essential public service.

"I want to thank NI Water for the high-quality service it provides. I am in no doubt that we can collectively find the solution by truly and demonstrably valuing essential public services such as water and funding them appropriately.

"There is no doubt that NI Water faces many challenges with more investment needed to both maintain what we already have and also to provide new infrastructure to keep pace with our economic, societal and climate responsibilities."