Northern Ireland faces ‘inescapable’ prospect of charging households for water

Northern Ireland’s executive may need to implement water charges for households to fund infrastructure, as highlighted by the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council ahead of the UK government’s spending review. Currently, NI Water, which is publicly owned, lacks the funds for necessary sewage services, causing delays in housing developments. The region receives significant funding from the UK government, but with rising demands and budget constraints, officials warn that without additional revenue, the financial model for NI Water is unsustainable.