Additional funding for NI Water won’t address housing and environment issues, warns McMurray
A further funding allocation for NI Water is to be welcomed but will barely scratch the surface of the pressures facing the body, Alliance Infrastructure Spokesperson Andy McMurray MLA has said.
The South Down MLA was speaking after the Department for Infrastructure confirmed an additional £19.5m of capital funding for NI Water arising from the October Monitoring round.
“While any £19.5M additional money for NI Water is to be welcomed, this latest cash injection is nowhere near enough to address the capital funding shortfall of £266m that NI Water is facing this year.
“It won’t rectify the vast majority of issues NI Water is facing, nor will it resolve the severe damage that our over-stretched water infrastructure is causing to the housing sector, economy and environment.
“While five council areas will see housing developments progress, six others with urgent needs remain unaddressed.
“In Newry, Mourne and Down, nine wastewater treatment works are at capacity, with another nine close to it.
“The Minister continues to flog developer contributions as the answer, but in reality, this will only benefit high-end properties, driving up housing costs and creating a two-tier system.
“Our local construction sector is feeling the squeeze and it is well known that NI Water’s funding pressures are also having a detrimental impact on the environment.
“Alliance has repeatedly called on the Minister to acknowledge the magnitude of the situation and to explore alternative, more sustainable funding models, as recommended by the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
“We believe that that mutualisation, as outlined in our policy paper ‘In Deep Water,‘ is a viable proposal, and should be considered.”
