DAERA Minister announces plans to strengthen the regulation of water pollution
Plans to strengthen the enforcement and regulation of water pollution have today been announced by the DAERA Minister Andrew Muir.
Campaigners calling for improved water quality on the river Quoile and other County Down rivers and loughs will be greatly encouraged by the Minister’s move.
Minister Muir told MLAs that Northern Ireland’s water environment was facing mounting and unacceptable pressures, with only 29% of its surface waterbodies achieving good ecological status and more than 20 million tonnes of untreated sewage and wastewater spilling into waterways each year.
The Minister said: “Clearly this is not only an environmental issue. It affects public health, the economy and the confidence people have in the safety of the waters they use.
“To rebuild public confidence, we must ensure regulation is fair, impartial and proportionate and applied consistently across all sectors: public bodies, agriculture, private businesses and industry.”
In a statement to the Assembly, the Minister confirmed his proposal for Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to withdraw from the SORPI (Statement of Regulatory Principles and Intent) administrative arrangement with NI Water established in 2007 which constrains regulatory enforcement action.
Minister Muir said: “Back in 2007, it was recognised that there was a deficit in the inherited wastewater infrastructure that would take some time to upgrade over a series of Price Control periods. We are now nearly 20 years on and there remains an unacceptable level of wastewater pollution.
“It is my view that withdrawal from SORPI will deliver regulatory parity, with NI Water regulated on the same basis as all other industries, including agriculture.”
He also announced he will bring forward “a Fisheries and Water Environment Bill in May 2026, modernising enforcement powers, adopting an ecosystem‑based approach, increasing the maximum fine for water pollution to £50,000 and introducing fixed penalty notices.”
The Minister also indicated plans to identify the Shellfish Water Protected Area in Belfast Lough as a sensitive area under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, which would require enhanced treatment for wastewater discharges entering the Lough.
In addition, a review is being undertaken to put in place new standards for discharge consents across Northern Ireland.
