Plans to strengthen the enforcement and regulation of water
pollution have today been announced by the DAERA Minister .
Minister Muir told MLAs that Northern Ireland's water environment
was facing mounting and unacceptable pressures, with only 29% of
its surface waterbodies achieving good ecological status and more
than 20 million tonnes of untreated sewage and wastewater
spilling into waterways each year.
The Minister said: “Clearly this is not only an environmental
issue. It affects public health, the economy and the confidence
people have in the safety of the waters they use.
“To rebuild public confidence, we must ensure regulation is fair,
impartial and proportionate and applied consistently across all
sectors: public bodies, agriculture, private businesses and
industry.”
In a statement to the Assembly, the Minister confirmed his
proposal for Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to
withdraw from the SORPI (Statement of Regulatory Principles and
Intent) administrative arrangement with NI Water established in
2007 which constrains regulatory enforcement action.
Minister Muir noted: “Back in 2007, it was recognised that there
was a deficit in the inherited wastewater infrastructure that
would take some time to upgrade over a series of Price Control
periods. We are now nearly 20 years on and there remains an
unacceptable level of wastewater pollution.
“It is my view that withdrawal from SORPI will deliver regulatory
parity, with NI Water regulated on the same basis as all other
industries, including agriculture.”
He also announced he will bring forward “a Fisheries and Water
Environment Bill in May 2026, modernising enforcement powers,
adopting an ecosystem‑based approach, increasing the maximum fine
for water pollution to £50,000 and introducing fixed penalty
notices.”
The Minister also stated plans to identify the Shellfish Water
Protected Area in Belfast Lough as a sensitive area under the
Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, which would require
enhanced treatment for wastewater discharges entering the Lough.
In addition, a review is being undertaken to put in place new
standards for discharge consents across Northern Ireland.
