Latest news with #NIWater
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
NI Executive 'will need to raise funds from water charges'
The Executive will need to raise money from water charges or other sources if it wants to improve the performance of NI Water, an independent watchdog has Northern Ireland Fiscal Council said changing the structure of NI Water will not, on its own, make a sufficient difference."The fundamental constraint on NI Water is a budgetary one," it underfunding of NI Water has led to shortfall in wastewater infrastructure which in turn is limiting housebuilding and other development. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where households do not pay directly for their NI Water receives a government subsidy which diverts more than £300m annually from the Executive's Fiscal Council said a popular belief that households pay for water through a portion of their rates bill is not said the link with the regional rate was broken in Robert Chote, chair of the council, said: "The current funding model is not fit for purpose."Charging for water or increasing taxes would put a further squeeze on the household finances, but failing to do so has its own costs."Sinn Féin and the DUP, the largest Executive parties, are opposed to water Sinn Féin-controlled Department for Infrastructure is holding a consultation which could lead to all housebuilders in Northern Ireland having to pay into a wastewater infrastructure fund. The infrastructure minister, Liz Kimmins, has set out a second proposal which would involve voluntary contributions from said developer payments alone would not solve the problems but would be a "step forward on the journey towards having the infrastructure we all need".Much of Northern Ireland's wastewater infrastructure is ageing and needs means there are more than 100 towns and villages where the system is operating near or above capacity and cannot accommodate any additional wastewater in March, Kimmins said: "Due to years of historic underfunding and austerity by the British government, our current drainage and wastewater infrastructure is in urgent need of upgrades."Improving our sewerage systems will be a significant undertaking, costing billions and spanning multiple decades."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Traders welcome street reopening after eight months
Traders in Londonderry have welcomed the reopening of one of city's busiest streets after it was closed for eight months. Foyle Street closed in August 2024 to allow for a £4.2m major upgrade to the water and sewerage infrastructure. It is due to reopen to traffic later on Friday, five weeks ahead of schedule. Record store owner Lee Mason said he was delighted to see the street returning to normal after a tough time for businesses. For five months late last year, and with the work ongoing, he said his business was hidden behind huge hoardings. "The barriers from August to December were awful, we had no visibility, the shop wasn't visible," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme. "As I have said many times, we were down 50% at weekends, and probably about 40% Monday to Thursday. "I am just glad it is done and dusted." He has now called for traders to be compensated over the disruption. "The work was essential work and we all understand that, but at the same time we need to be compensated if the work has affected our business, and it has without doubt affected our business," he said. When work got underway in August last year traders said they were concerned about the long-term impact of the closure. There was a temporary reprieve over Christmas before the street was closed off to allow NI Water to continue with the upgrade work. Olive McEleney works in her family-run hair salon on Foyle Street. She told BBC Radio Foyle that, like most traders, she totally understands the need for the work the past eight months had been tough. "Needs must, the work had to be done, but business has suffered these last eight months," she said. "We are small businesses, small family businesses, not multi-million pound companies. We were trying to keep the staff we have, keep the flow of business." She agrees that some form of financial support, possibly a rates relief scheme, would help support the Foyle Street traders. "The loss of business, especially in the run up to Christmas, the businesses were badly impacted and the rates definitely should have been considered," she said. Manager of Derry's City Centre Initiative Jim Roddy said local traders were to be commended "for their patience and understanding since work started last summer". He also said they should be compensated, if they have lost money. "Absolutely, and what needs to happen there, the loss needs to be evidenced and then that put to Northern Ireland Water and then let Northern Ireland Water consider if compensation should be paid." But he said the work was essential for the future of the city. "Anbody who knows what's going on with Northern Ireland Water at the moment and any future developments, capacity is a major, major issue for all planning applications," he said. "We were literally at full capacity within our walled city, so developments within our walled city would not have been able to happen without this work. "This now allows those developments to do ahead." In a statement, NI Water said Foyle Street would reopen to most traffic on Friday but buses would not return until the end of June. The upgrade of the 100-year-old water and wastewater infrastructure has included the installation of 400 metres (1,312 ft) of dedicated stormwater sewer as well as 170 metres (557ft) of new watermain. Work on the upgrade's final phase, which includes the reinstallation of footpaths and during which the street will be fully accessible during business hours, will be completed by the end of next month, NI Water added. Traders worry over long-term Foyle Street closure
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Derry: Traders welcome Foyle Street reopening after eight months
Traders in Londonderry have welcomed the reopening of one of city's busiest streets after it was closed for eight Street closed in August 2024 to allow for a £4.2m major upgrade to the water and sewerage is due to reopen to traffic later on Friday, five weeks ahead of store owner Lee Mason said he was delighted to see the street returning to normal after a tough time for businesses. For five months late last year, and with the work ongoing, he said his business was hidden behind huge hoardings."The barriers from August to December were awful, we had no visibility, the shop wasn't visible," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme."As I have said many times, we were down 50% at weekends, and probably about 40% Monday to Thursday."I am just glad it is done and dusted." He has now called for traders to be compensated over the disruption."The work was essential work and we all understand that, but at the same time we need to be compensated if the work has affected our business, and it has without doubt affected our business," he said. When work got underway in August last year traders said they were concerned about the long-term impact of the was a temporary reprieve over Christmas before the street was closed off to allow NI Water to continue with the upgrade work. 'Business suffered' Olive McEleney works in her family-run hair salon on Foyle told BBC Radio Foyle that, like most traders, she totally understands the need for the work the past eight months had been tough. "Needs must, the work had to be done, but business has suffered these last eight months," she said."We are small businesses, small family businesses, not multi-million pound companies. We were trying to keep the staff we have, keep the flow of business."She agrees that some form of financial support, possibly a rates relief scheme, would help support the Foyle Street traders."The loss of business, especially in the run up to Christmas, the businesses were badly impacted and the rates definitely should have been considered," she said. 'Should be compensated' Manager of Derry's City Centre Initiative Jim Roddy said local traders were to be commended "for their patience and understanding since work started last summer".He also said they should be compensated, if they have lost money."Absolutely, and what needs to happen there, the loss needs to be evidenced and then that put to Northern Ireland Water and then let Northern Ireland Water consider if compensation should be paid." But he said the work was essential for the future of the city."Anbody who knows what's going on with Northern Ireland Water at the moment and any future developments, capacity is a major, major issue for all planning applications," he said."We were literally at full capacity within our walled city, so developments within our walled city would not have been able to happen without this work."This now allows those developments to do ahead."In a statement, NI Water said Foyle Street would reopen to most traffic on Friday but buses would not return until the end of upgrade of the 100-year-old water and wastewater infrastructure has included the installation of 400 metres (1,312 ft) of dedicated stormwater sewer as well as 170 metres (557ft) of new on the upgrade's final phase, which includes the reinstallation of footpaths and during which the street will be fully accessible during business hours, will be completed by the end of next month, NI Water added.
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Tips for saving water as NI's warm weather spell to continue
It comes in time for Water Saving Week, an initiative designed to raise awareness and discourages waste, which runs from May 12 to 16. NI Water education officer Anna Killen said there's no better time to dust off old habits and create some new ones that benefit the environment and customer's pockets. 'It's important we all play our part in protecting future water supplies that may come under pressure because of our changing climate and population growth,' she said. 'As the warmer weather continues demands on water supplies will naturally increase but with a few simple changes, customers can save hundreds of litres of water which in turn will benefit the environment and save you money. 'The Get Water Fit app is a good way to start thinking how much water you are using each day and how you can reduce your usage. 'Whether you are washing your hands, cleaning dishes or getting through that mountain of washing, you start to realise just how important water is and the sheer amount we use'. News Catch Up - Monday 12 May Ms Killen said 'it's amazing to think that every day each person uses around 170 litres of water' in NI. 'With rising energy costs, it might be time to think about reducing the amount of time spent in the shower or the number of times you use your washing machine or dishwasher – hot water costs money,' she continued. 'It's really easy to save water and there are some simple things we can all do that can make a huge difference.' The water provider shared 10 ways to cut usage this week as the warm spell continues: Fill you kettle with the water you need, overfilling means more energy to heat it. Turn of the tap when brushing your teeth, a running tap can use six litres of water a minute. Shower for four minutes instead of longer to conserve water. Use a bowl for washing vegetables, this water can be used to water plants. Make full use of your washing machine and dryer, half loads use more than half the water used for a full load. Keep a water jug in the fridge instead of letting it run cold before drinking. NI water recommends that this water is changed every day. Fix you leaking taps. Dripping taps can waste more then 60 litres of water per week. Use a watering can instead of a hose, a hose uses 500 litres of water an hour enough to fill 12 baths. Use a water butt, this can use used to gather rain water for watering plants and washing cars. Get an online water audit at Take part in facing challenges and receive free water saving items, such as four minute shower timers. The mercury will begin to rise from Tuesday, which is predicted to be the warmest day of the year, with potential for even higher temperatures on Thursday. According to Met Office Meteorologist Becky Mitchell both days have the potential to see highs above 24C — slightly warmer than the hottest day which was recorded on April 30. 'We've got some fairly warm weather coming up as we head through the next few days,' she said. 'We could potentially be close to the warmest day of the year so far, as we head through this week.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Storm Éowyn: Mourne Wall repairs to cost £650k
Months after Storm Éowyn left a trail of destruction across Northern Ireland, NI Water has said it will cost approximately £650,000 to repair the damage it caused to the Mourne Wall.A recently completed survey to assess the damage found there were 63 individual collapses along the wall across six mountains in the Éowyn brought winds of more than 90mph when it hit on 24 January and left thousands without red warning storm also caused a nine-week closure of Silent Valley Reservoir in the Mournes due to the damage, with access to many walking trails still restricted by NI Water. The full extent of the damage to the 22-mile Mourne Wall by Storm Éowyn was found after a survey, which began on 24 February, was completed on Water, which is in ownership of the wall, said the survey was "time consuming" due to the nature of the task to inspect each section of the iconic was found that 700m of the Mourne Wall was damaged with 63 individual collapses across six mountains, including Slieve Donard – Northern Ireland's tallest 2023, NI Water announced a £2.5m investment for phase two of the Mourne Wall Restoration one was completed in 2018 and saw more than 600 repairs two involved repairs to on Slieve Muck and Rocky Mountain. Most damage to areas that were not restored However, NI Water confirmed that only one section repaired through the restoration project collapsed due to Storm Éowyn."The estimated cost for repairs will be approximately £650k," NI Water told BBC News NI."NI Water is now preparing a business case and repairs may be included in the 2025/2026 Capital Delivery Programme subject to funding approval."Fortunately, the majority of the damage was to areas that have not been updated under the Mournes Restoration Project scheme."There was one section of repaired wall that was damaged by the collapse of the original wall alongside it."The Mournes is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and also suffered from more than 140 wildfires last of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir described the wildfires as "rural arson". What is the Mourne Wall? The Mourne Wall is 22-miles long and was built from 1904 to as 'the handrail of the Mournes' as it helps guide hikers, it is made of natural granite stone using only traditional dry stone walling construction was overseen by the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners and was designed to keep livestock from contaminating water Mourne Wall is synonymous with the Mourne Mountains and is Northern Ireland's longest listed building. In March 2024, NI Water completed the second phase of essential repairs on the 100 year old wall through the Mourne Wall Restoration than 300 repairs were completed across 15 mountains during phase two of the project, bringing the total number of collapses fixed on the structure to over 900 since the project began in 2017.
