08/12/2023

Proposed Introduction Of Water And Sewerage Charges

The Department for Infrastructure has announced the launch of a new public consultation on the potential introduction of water and sewerage charges.

The consultation follows direction from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, in September 2023, for Northern Ireland Departments to launch public consultations on measures to support budget sustainability and raise additional revenue.

The consultation, which has had its content approved by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland provides an overview of potential water and sewerage charging revenue raising options which could be introduced in Northern Ireland, with a focus on those areas which would offer greatest value in helping to address the unsustainability of public finances.

It sets out and seeks views on the main pathways through which water and sewerage charging could be introduced, how a relief scheme to protect vulnerable people might be developed, and how charging might be billed and collected.

It also asks about three other revenue raising options: the removal of the domestic allowance for non-domestic customers; charging customers for domestic septic tank desludging; and recovering the cost of roads drainage from all customers.

The consultation document with full details of the options and how to provide your views is here.

The consultation begins today and will run for 14 weeks from 7 December 2023, closing on 13 March 2024.


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