Menu
04/02/2010
Murphy Dives Into Water Funding Row
There has been a dramatic intervention into proposed cost cutting at NI's main water provider.
Just hours after the Utility Regulator - an independent body which regulates water and sewerage services - targeted revenue savings of £91m at the statutory body, NI Water, the Stormont Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy (pictured) has stepped-in.
He said last night that he had "noted the Utility Regulator's advice on water funding".
"I intend to study the Regulator's advice carefully before taking final decisions on the level of subsidy required by NI Water (NIW) and putting proposals to the Executive.
"I offer my assurance that decisions on these issues will be taken in the best long-term interests of consumers," he said, also highlighting the economy, the protection of jobs and front line services to customers as priorities.
The Minister said the Stormont Executive would take decisions on future funding for water and sewerage services taking account of the need to deliver services to customers; investment to modernise infrastructure; the effect on the economy and the Executive's budget and the need for NIW to become more efficient.
Commenting specifically on the efficiency targets proposed by the Regulator, the Minister said: "NIW is in transition and we need to be realistic about what can be achieved.
Going directly counter to what the regulator said yesterday, when he compared NIW to the kind of savings being achieved by mainland UK water providers.
"Regulated companies in England have achieved efficiency targets, with 20 years of investment behind them.
"The Executive has yet to decide whether to move to full regulation. What is important is that households will not pay any additional contributions next year as a result of the Executive's funding decision.
"Ensuring there is adequate funding for essential water services, given the difficult winter we have experienced, needs to be the Executive's priority," he concluded.
See: NI Water Funding 'Tap Turned Off'
(BMcC/GK)
Just hours after the Utility Regulator - an independent body which regulates water and sewerage services - targeted revenue savings of £91m at the statutory body, NI Water, the Stormont Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy (pictured) has stepped-in.
He said last night that he had "noted the Utility Regulator's advice on water funding".
"I intend to study the Regulator's advice carefully before taking final decisions on the level of subsidy required by NI Water (NIW) and putting proposals to the Executive.
"I offer my assurance that decisions on these issues will be taken in the best long-term interests of consumers," he said, also highlighting the economy, the protection of jobs and front line services to customers as priorities.
The Minister said the Stormont Executive would take decisions on future funding for water and sewerage services taking account of the need to deliver services to customers; investment to modernise infrastructure; the effect on the economy and the Executive's budget and the need for NIW to become more efficient.
Commenting specifically on the efficiency targets proposed by the Regulator, the Minister said: "NIW is in transition and we need to be realistic about what can be achieved.
Going directly counter to what the regulator said yesterday, when he compared NIW to the kind of savings being achieved by mainland UK water providers.
"Regulated companies in England have achieved efficiency targets, with 20 years of investment behind them.
"The Executive has yet to decide whether to move to full regulation. What is important is that households will not pay any additional contributions next year as a result of the Executive's funding decision.
"Ensuring there is adequate funding for essential water services, given the difficult winter we have experienced, needs to be the Executive's priority," he concluded.
See: NI Water Funding 'Tap Turned Off'
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 October 2023
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
23 September 2022
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
18 September 2024
Water Is 'Safe To Drink And Use As Normal' – NI Water
NI Water has reassured households that their water is "safe to drink and use as normal". The public utility company has said that their number one priority is the quality and safety of drinking water.
Water Is 'Safe To Drink And Use As Normal' – NI Water
NI Water has reassured households that their water is "safe to drink and use as normal". The public utility company has said that their number one priority is the quality and safety of drinking water.
15 September 2023
NI Water 'Safe To Drink And Use As Normal'
Water supplied from all NI Water's Water Treatment Works, including water abstracted from Lough Neagh, is safe to drink and use as normal. The utility provider has responded to calls from the DUP to clarify the safety of NI's drinking water.
NI Water 'Safe To Drink And Use As Normal'
Water supplied from all NI Water's Water Treatment Works, including water abstracted from Lough Neagh, is safe to drink and use as normal. The utility provider has responded to calls from the DUP to clarify the safety of NI's drinking water.
11 July 2022
Households Urged To 'Get Water Smart'
NI Water has called on households to 'get water smart', highlighting that with schools out for summer and temperatures set to rise there is no better time to learn about the simple things we can all do to help save water. It is easy to begin reducing your water usage; just start by thinking how much water you are using each day.
Households Urged To 'Get Water Smart'
NI Water has called on households to 'get water smart', highlighting that with schools out for summer and temperatures set to rise there is no better time to learn about the simple things we can all do to help save water. It is easy to begin reducing your water usage; just start by thinking how much water you are using each day.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
