Northern Ireland is currently grappling with a serious wastewater drainage crisis that is jeopardising its residential property development plans. The scarcity of investment in our drainage systems, coupled with political unwillingness to impose water fees, has led to an unsettling reduction in the construction of new social housing premises, hitting an all-time low at a time when they’re most needed.
The situation has been compounded by the closure of forty drainage networks throughout thirty different locales, causing Northern Ireland Water to face a daunting funding deficit of £185 million for the year 2024/25. This unfortunate state of affairs has severe implications for individuals who aspire to purchase a new residence, relocate to a social housing property or establish a new factory. Furthermore, it represents a financial catastrophe for the construction industry.
It’s abundantly clear that immediate legislative action is necessary to enable private property developers to contribute towards the drainage system upgrades. Equally crucial is the development of a fresh funding scheme for Northern Ireland Water.
Yours sincerely,
Brian Pope,
Chartered Civil Engineer,
Former Councillor of the Alliance Party,
Banbridge,
County Down.