NI Water has dismissed reports that its top executive were paid bonuses in the region of £25,000 and £40,000.

The water authority said figures detailed in the Belfast Telegraph were inaccurate, insisting its executive directors' bonus payments are agreed in line with all public sector pay arrangements.

"NI Water strongly refutes figures quoted in the City Edition of the Belfast Telegraph which claim NI Water executive directors will receive bonuses in the region of £25,000 to £40,000," said a spokesman.

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"Executive directors' bonus payments are agreed in line with all public sector pay arrangements which state that bonuses must be capped at 10% of salary and can not exceed £10,500."

Bonuses are based on the achievement of specific challenging personal and corporate objectives, NI Water said.

"Independent non executive directors, who do not receive a bonus, review these objectives and make the decision on whether bonuses should be paid."

The spokesman said Acting Chief Executive Chris Mellor's bonus entitlementis still under discussion by the Departments of Regional Development and Finance and Personnel.

"Once formally agreed, this information will be made public in line with NI Water’s commitment to openness and transparency."

NI Water said it has delivered operational cost efficiencies of £17.5m, capital cost efficiencies of 8.6% of the total capital programme, in the last year, and absorbed a reduction from budget in billed income of £8m and significant cost increases in areas such as power costs.

(PR/BmcC)