New water rates could help fix Northern Ireland’s wastewater issues and protect vital waterways from pollution
Belfast: There’s talk about introducing water rates in Northern Ireland to help fix the crumbling wastewater system. This could really help with the pollution issues affecting our waterways.
Right now, the Stormont executive is trying to tackle a big environmental crisis at Lough Neagh. Over the last couple of summers, blue-green algae has been taking over the lake, which is a real concern.
Lough Neagh is a massive freshwater lake, supplying about 40% of Northern Ireland’s drinking water. It also supports a big eel-fishing industry, so it’s super important.
But it’s facing a “perfect storm” of problems, like pollution and climate change, according to Gerry Darby from the Lough Neagh Partnership. He thinks the government is on the right track but warns that we need a broader approach.
In a recent chat, Darby mentioned that the Lough Neagh action plan is a step in the right direction. They’ve already started implementing some actions, like bringing in water inspectors and looking for private sector solutions. But he says we won’t see real changes for decades.
He pointed out that while we want to reduce nutrient levels, it won’t happen overnight. There are a lot of factors at play, including waste management and septic tanks, which all contribute to the problem.
Climate change and invasive species are also making things worse. Darby believes the minister is doing a good job engaging with various organizations to find solutions, but it’s going to take time.
People often think blue-green algae is the only issue, but there’s more to it. The wastewater system is under a lot of stress, and fixing it will require tough decisions about funding.
Currently, Northern Ireland has non-domestic water charges, but there’s been a lot of pushback against introducing charges for homes. Darby highlighted that the budget for NI Water’s capital investment has been slashed, which is a serious problem.
He laid out three options: ask Westminster for more funds, adjust the Stormont budget, or consider introducing water rates, which are common in the rest of the UK. It’s a tricky situation, and he admits it’s a political hot potato.
