NI Wastewater Infrastructure Consultation: Unlocking the Housing Supply

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) recently issued a consultation paper to seek views on how developers can make contributions to fund the upgrade of the overwhelmed wastewater infrastructure in NI, in order to facilitate future housing development. The consultation period opened on 21 March and will close on 27 June 2025. In this article, Associate Director, Shane Conlan, gives an overview of the current wastewater infrastructure in Northern Ireland and the prosposals outlined by the DfI.

What is wastewater infrastructure?

• Wastewater comes from houses and businesses via sinks, showers, toilets and washing machines.
• The infrastructure that deals with this consists of sewer pipes, storage tanks, pumps and treatment works which collect and dispose of wastewater.

What are the current issues with NI’s wastewater infrastructure?

• The existing infrastructure in NI is outdated and no longer fit for purpose.
• There is limited or no capacity for new connections to the sewerage network system due to the ageing infrastructure which has suffered from underinvestment.
• There are 100 areas in Northern Ireland where the wastewater system is deemed at or above capacity with a further 30 areas expected to reach this level within next 2 years.
• Supply of housing has been limited due to inadequate infrastructure to facilitate new connections.
• To enhance capacity, significant upgrade works are required such as installing larger diameter sewerage pipes and upgrading large wastewater pumping stations which will come at a high cost.

The consultation seeks to determine whether the Department for Infrastructure should introduce developer contributions to help fund the wastewater infrastructure improvements and, if so, how these contributions can be implemented and operated.

Developer Contributions for Wastewater Infrastructure

The current position is that a developer will liaise with NI Water to see if there is capacity in its network to cope with the demands of a new development. If capacity issues are identified then NI Water will identify what works are required to enable wastewater connection. However NI Water cannot accept payments direct from developers to permit a connection into the sewerage network where upgrading is required.

The consultation is seeking views on whether the current position should change to allow the DfI to introduce contribution arrangements.

Such contributions would increase financial resources for upgrade works however this would also increase costs for building houses, resulting in either developers choosing not to proceed with development or passing the cost on to the house purchaser.

Options for Developer Contributions Explored in Consultation

• Voluntary Developer Contributions – New legislation be introduced allowing developers to liaise directly with NI Water about upgrades to infrastructure, facilitating new connections, and making a financial contribution to all or part of the associated costs. This could be done by upfront payment or a secured financial bond to NI Water.
• Compulsory Developer Wastewater Contribution Levy – A financial contribution from developers across NI which is then pooled and used to upgrade the entire wastewater infrastructure system on a priority basis.

The DfI is seeking views on its proposals via an online survey up until the end of the consultation period, on Friday 27 June 2025. The consultation paper, survey and associated documents can be access here.

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