NI Water to freeze tariffs for 2016/17
30 March 2016 0:01
NI Water today announced no change to non-domestic water and sewerage charges. From 1st April 2016 charges will hold at the 2015/16 levels. Trade effluent charges however, will increase by 2.8%.
The decision to freeze measured and non-domestic unmeasured tariffs will mean nearly 80,000 non-domestic customers will benefit from a ‘real’ reduction to their water and sewerage charge.NI Water Director of Finance & Regulation, Ronan Larkin said:
“NI Water’s ability to hold water and sewerage charges for 2016/17 at the same levels as 2015/16, is testament to our continued efficiency while improving services, and investing in essential infrastructure. Ideally we would have liked to have held the trade effluent costs which will rise by 2.8%, however, these customers are also predominately measured water and/or sewerage customers, and as such will still benefit.”
“This announcement is excellent news for local businesses who continue to trade in difficult economic conditions. Taking into account inflation, our non-domestic customers are paying 12% less, on average, for their water and sewerage services than they did four years ago.”
“We have worked closely with the Utility Regulator and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland (CCNI) to ensure the tariffs represent good value for our customers.”
“Information will be mailed to approximately 80,000 non-domestic customers to notify them of the forthcoming pricing changes and specifically, how they will be applied. Further information about the Scheme of Charges can be found on NI Water’s website at https://www.niwater.com/your-bill-and-our-charges/”
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 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 is available on NI Water’s website at https://www.niwater.com/your-bill-and-our-charges/
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 0345 877 0030 or online at http://www.niwater.com/non-domestic-charges/