A huge shortfall, thought to be £20m per year, which could lead to higher than expected household water bills, is to be investigated by a powerful NI Assembly committee.

Northern Ireland Water is to be asked to explain how the shortfall in its projected revenues came about.

The Regional Development Committee has been trying to find out who exactly is to blame for the miscalculation, which was made public a few weeks ago.

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The Stormont committee will also speak to officials from the Department of Regional Development about the options that are available.

These include the Stormont Executive funding the gap this year, households directly paying an average of £30 extra a year when bills are introduced next year, or Northern Ireland Water find the money from within its own resources.

The Department of Regional Development, which was responsible for the Water Service before the new water company was set up in 2006, is unlikely to escape blame by some members of the committee.

(BMcC)