Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy told the Northern Ireland Assembly yesterday that water Rates will be introduced into Northern Ireland but the ratepayers will not be expected to pay twice for the service.
The Assembly heard that the charges will be brought in over two years from April 2009, but the Executive has decided there will be no double charging as was planned under direct rule. The Executive has accepted the recommendation of the review panel headed by Professor Paddy Hillyard which suggested that additional contributions should come into effect in full for domestic households from 2009/10.
In a special announcement to the Assembly Mr Murphy said.
"We have concluded instead that these additional contributions should be phased in with domestic households paying two thirds of their full liability in 2009/10 and full liability the year after,"
"However the amount due to be collected from domestic households will be reduced by the amount of the contribution that households are already paying via the rates - £109 million or an average of £160 per rates bill - this means there will be no double payment."
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
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Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.