NI Water recently told Causeway Coast and Glens councillors that in some areas wastewater capacity constraints are impacting new development and the economy within the Borough.

During the presentation, NI Water also gave an overview of ongoing investments around the Borough such as the £5m Northern Water Resilience Zone Project, the £4.2 million Caugh Hill (Dungiven) Water Treatment Works improvements, the £3.5 million Corrody Service Reservoir to Creggan Service Reservoir (SR) transmission main replacement, the £4 million Limavady catchment upgrade to address new development to external flooding and £9 million investment in Kilrea wastewater treatment works.

Investment, economic and development constraints were the key themes throughout the presentation.

The current reductions in allocated capital and operating budgets during the current six-year business planning period, Price Control 21 (PC21) and for 2025/26 have had a significant impact in the Causeway Coast & GlensCouncil area, and NI Water warned this is set to continue.

At the presentation Dr Stephen Blockwell, Head of Investment Management with NI Water, emphasised that all eyes must be focussed on the forthcoming next Price Control period for NI Water (PC28).

A fully funded NI Water over the next series of Price Controls is the only way for wastewater infrastructure to recover from decades of underinvestment, said NI Water.

Dr Blockwell commented: “A fully funded NI Water is essential for it to provide critical infrastructure to underpin the Council’s goals for housing, economic growth and environmental protection.

"Without urgent change to the wastewater system, Northern Ireland and this Council faces persistent and worsening pollution and reduced

attractiveness for investors and slower business development.”