Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has welcomed Executive approval for the new Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill, set to bring significant updates to how Northern Ireland manages its water resources and tackles flood risk.

The legislation aims to strengthen resilience against extreme weather events and promote environmentally friendly solutions.

Minister Kimmins highlighted the increasing impact of climate change, noting "warmer summers, milder winters and more frequent storms." She emphasised the importance of having robust plans in place to manage water shortages and high demand for treated water, as well as to improve flood management through sustainable drainage systems.

Key provisions of the Bill include:

• Expanded Hosepipe Restrictions: The Bill will grant NI Water greater power to implement hosepipe restrictions beyond current limitations (like watering private gardens and washing private cars) to conserve water during periods of high demand or drought. • Continued Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme: The legislation will enable the Department for Infrastructure to continue the Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme, which helps eligible homeowners modify their properties to be more resilient to flooding. This scheme typically covers 90% of costs, up to £10,000, for measures like door barriers and non-return valves.

• Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Guidance: The Bill will allow the Department to issue future guidance on the design, maintenance, and adoption of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). SuDS are natural approaches to managing surface water runoff, mimicking natural processes to slow water flow, reduce out-of-sewer flooding during heavy rainfall, and improve water quality in rivers and loughs. They can also lead to electricity cost savings in wastewater treatment.

The Minister concluded that this legislation marks "a major step forward in helping us meet the challenges in how we manage, use and treat our water resources, future-proof the system, and get on a path to recovery from years of historic underinvestment." She noted it forms an integral part of her "three-pronged approach to deliver a better water and wastewater infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing population and adapt to changing weather patterns."

The Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill is expected to be introduced to the Assembly as soon as possible.