Kimmins launches Public Consultation on Social and Environmental Guidance for Water and Sewerage Services (2028/29-2032/33)
Date published:
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has launched a public consultation on draft Social and Environmental Guidance (‘The Guidance’) for Water and Sewerage Services for 2028/29-2032/33.
The draft Guidance sets out the Department’s key social and environmental policies that the Minister for Infrastructure expects the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (‘the Utility Regulator’) to have regard to in carrying out its role of regulating the water industry.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said:
“I am pleased to publish this updated Social and Environmental Guidance for public consultation. The provision of clean, safe drinking water and the effective treatment of wastewater remain fundamental public services that must meet the needs of all consumers, balancing capacity for growing housing and development demands while safeguarding our natural environment and responding to climate change. I am committed to working closely with NI Water, the Utility Regulator and all stakeholders to deliver the priorities set out in this Guidance.
“The Guidance will help inform the provision of future water and sewerage services so I encourage interested parties to have their say.”
The consultation will run for eight weeks from 1 September 2026 until 5pm on the 27 October 2026.
Documents are available at: infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/social-and-environmental-guidance-water-and-sewerage-services-2028-2033
Notes to editors:
- This Guidance sets out the Department for Infrastructure’s (‘the Department’) key social and environmental policies that the Minister for Infrastructure expects the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (‘the Utility Regulator’) shall have regard to in carrying out its role of regulating the water industry during the 2028/29-2032/33 period.
- The Guidance is issued under Article 7 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
- The Utility Regulator is the independent economic regulator for the water industry in Northern Ireland. NI Water is a government-owned company and is the sole water and sewerage undertaker in Northern Ireland.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk .
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