AQW 13274/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 12/06/2024
Answered On Date: 05/07/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure how he is working with (i) developers; and (ii) wastewater management professionals to reduce the amount of wastewater entering sewerage systems to enable more buildings and properties to be built in areas where capacity is at or near its limit.

Answer:

My Department encourages developers and wastewater management professionals to use Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), to help remove surface water from the sewer network and free up capacity for wastewater. This can also reduce flooding and pollution risks.

In addition, I frequently ask developers and wastewater management professionals to engage early with NI Water, through the Pre- Development Enquiry process, to try and find a resolution to any issues at an early stage, to help facilitate development, where possible.

NI Water has advised that within the current Price Control Period PC21 (2021/22 – 2026/27), it has a Storm Separation project to invest circa £32m to target the removal of approximately 22 hectares of impermeable area that discharges storm water into the foul/combined sewerage network.