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| Water bills for NI in 18 months | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Northern Ireland households should not pay any additional water charges until April 2009, a new report has said. | Northern Ireland households should not pay any additional water charges until April 2009, a new report has said. |
| The review of water charging was carried out by a team led by Professor Paddy Hillyard. | The review of water charging was carried out by a team led by Professor Paddy Hillyard. |
| "They are already paying on average £160 per household for their water and sewerage services," he said. | "They are already paying on average £160 per household for their water and sewerage services," he said. |
| The General Consumer Council said the report's proposed average household bill in 2009 would be £120, instead of the £334 envisaged under direct rule. | The General Consumer Council said the report's proposed average household bill in 2009 would be £120, instead of the £334 envisaged under direct rule. |
| These charges would be in addition to the £160 on average already paid for water and sewage services through rates. | These charges would be in addition to the £160 on average already paid for water and sewage services through rates. |
| REVIEW PROPOSALS Privatisation ruled outNo water meteringDirect rule proposals abandonedNo standing chargeNo separate collection or billing system | REVIEW PROPOSALS Privatisation ruled outNo water meteringDirect rule proposals abandonedNo standing chargeNo separate collection or billing system |
| The council's Eleanor Gill said, a young, low income family in a semi-detached house in Magherafelt could expect to pay about £97 in April 2009 instead of £294 (67% less); a young adult in a terraced house in Belfast £60 instead of £221 (73% less) and an older couple in a Holywood townhouse £313 instead of £719 (56%). | The council's Eleanor Gill said, a young, low income family in a semi-detached house in Magherafelt could expect to pay about £97 in April 2009 instead of £294 (67% less); a young adult in a terraced house in Belfast £60 instead of £221 (73% less) and an older couple in a Holywood townhouse £313 instead of £719 (56%). |
| "People will have lower bills than they expected because they will not pay for water twice or pay any more until April 2009 when water will be clearly identified on the rates bill," she said. | "People will have lower bills than they expected because they will not pay for water twice or pay any more until April 2009 when water will be clearly identified on the rates bill," she said. |
| Eleanor Gill has welcomed the review's proposals | Eleanor Gill has welcomed the review's proposals |
| "Stripping out unfair costs like roads drainage, having one bill with the water payment clearly identifiable and requiring greater efficiency from the water company will ensure that consumers get a fair deal and value for money." | "Stripping out unfair costs like roads drainage, having one bill with the water payment clearly identifiable and requiring greater efficiency from the water company will ensure that consumers get a fair deal and value for money." |
| The panel was set up in June by the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, to carry out an analysis of the direct rule ministers' 2004 proposals on the water and sewerage services. | The panel was set up in June by the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, to carry out an analysis of the direct rule ministers' 2004 proposals on the water and sewerage services. |
| Mr Murphy said he would now be assessing the review along with his colleagues on the executive. | Mr Murphy said he would now be assessing the review along with his colleagues on the executive. |
| "I expect the executive to take decisions on the report shortly and I will make an announcement to the assembly after that," he said. | "I expect the executive to take decisions on the report shortly and I will make an announcement to the assembly after that," he said. |
| The Consumer Council answers your questions | |
| I live on my own, why do I need to pay the same as the family next door? | |
| New information proves that installing a meter would not give you a lower water bill. In fact, it would add an additional £50 to your bill. | |
| These new proposals are the start of a fairer deal for all consumers. | |
| The average bill is two-thirds less than expected, we will now be paying £120 rather than the proposed £334. | |
| In addition, there will be improved protection for people who can't afford to pay and there will be more information about this in December. | |
| How will my rates bill change? | |
| We pay £160 for water and sewerage services through our rates bill. From 2009 this will be identified on a separate line within the rates bill. | |
| However, if we want high quality public services we will have to pay more but not until April 2009 when we will have to pay on average an extra £120. | |
| This is two thirds less than initially expected. | |
| I still want a meter; can I get one? | |
| It has been recommended that domestic metering plans are discontinued for the foreseeable future. | |
| This means that no domestic consumers will get a meter. | |
| Metering will add £50 to your water bill so it is not the cheapest option but the door is not closed on metering. | |
| How can I conserve water if I don' t have a meter? | |
| A meter is not the only way to save water - there are other things we can do like using rainwater for washing the car, having water efficient appliances in the home, fixing leaking pipes and taps, showering instead of baths, hippo bag in your toilet cistern, turning off the taps when brushing your teeth, etc. | |
| Why should we pay for years of underinvestment? | |
| It has now been recognised that we have been paying for water through our rates bill. | |
| We all want a high quality public service but we need to invest more money to improve the water and sewerage infrastructure. | |
| All public services must be paid for but it's important that we pay a charge that is fair and affordable and not one penny more. |