NI Water has released its latest Water Resource & Supply Resilience Plan (WR&SRP), extending its planning horizon to 50 years and incorporating increased resilience measures against more frequent and extreme weather events. The updated plan, which follows a period of public consultation, is now available on the NI Water website – www.niwater.com/managing-northern-irelands-water-resources/.

The WR&SRP is a crucial document for both NI Water and the wider Northern Ireland economy, detailing how the company intends to manage and develop water resources to ensure a secure and sufficient water supply for future needs. The plan takes into account factors such as population growth, housing development, water usage trends, and predicted climate change impacts. A key focus of the WR&SRP is outlining how water supplies will be maintained during critical periods, including severe winters and droughts, with specific drought management strategies included.

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Significant changes have been implemented since the previous WR&SRP in 2020. These include the extension of the planning timeframe from 25 to 50 years and an enhanced emphasis on building resilience to changing weather patterns, including planning for extreme drought events estimated to occur once every 200 years. The updated plan also places a greater focus on environmental sustainability in line with carbon Net Zero targets.

NI Water highlights the significant progress made in enhancing water resilience for customers since the last WR&SRP. The new plan aims to build upon this foundation through continued high levels of leakage detection, sustained investment in water mains infrastructure, and the promotion of water efficiency initiatives. With appropriate investment, the WR&SRP is intended to serve as a blueprint for a secure and reliable water supply for Northern Ireland, ensuring the region's infrastructure can withstand future challenges.

The development of the WR&SRP involved input from key stakeholders, including the Department for Infrastructure, the Utility Regulator, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, and the Consumer Council NI.

The WR&SRP and its supporting documentation can be accessed on NI Water’s website at www.niwater.com/managing-northern-irelands-water-resources/.