NI Water announces tariffs for 2015/16

27 March 2015 0:01

NI Water today announced changes to its non-domestic water and sewerage charges.  From 1st April 2015 charges will increase, on average, by 2.4% for the incoming financial year.

This is the first increase in water and sewerage charges in three years. In the previous two consecutive years, NI Water has reduced all non domestic charges.  Non domestic charges were reduced on average by 2.5% in 2013/14 and then by a further 4% in 2014/15.

The increases are necessary due to unavoidable external factors impacting on operating costs and the cost of necessary improvements to the water and sewerage infrastructure to meet standards and improve quality for customers.

NI Water Director of Finance & Regulation, Ronan Larkin said:
“We are conscious that economic conditions continue to be difficult for our customers and so we have worked hard to minimise any increase in tariffs for our customers, insofar as we have been able to.  It is worth noting business customers will still be paying 5.6% less, on average,  for their water and sewerage services than they were in 2012.

“We have worked closely with the Utility Regulator and in conjunction with the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) to ensure the increase is as low as possible and represents good value for our customers.  

“A typical unmeasured bill will increase annually by approximately £16 while the smallest measured (metered) bill will increase by £4.  The largest measured  company will see an annual increase of £45.  

“Leaflets will be mailed to approximately 74,000 non-domestic customers to notify them of the forthcoming pricing changes and specifically, how they will be applied.   Anyone with questions about the Scheme of Charges can phone our Billing Enquiries Team on 08458 770030.”

NI Water is required to annually review the charges levied for water and sewerage services and agree them with the Utility Regulator in order that customers pay the fairest rate for the water and sewerage services they receive. The new charges, to be reflected in bills from April, follow the Utility Regulator’s decision on the prices NI Water should charge customers between 2015-21.

The full Scheme of Charges will be available on NI Water’s website.  

This also outlines changes for measured (customers with a meter) and unmeasured (customers without meters) charges.

Advertisements outlining the changes are also being carried in daily newspapers.  

For further information, customers can contact NI Water’s Billing Enquiries team on 0845 877 0030 or find further information online.