Water

The Consumer Council has returned over £1 million to consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland since 1 April 2020. With the COVID-19 pandemic changing how consumers spend, socialise, work, live and travel, the consumer rights body has said this has led to an increased need for its free service.

Following Northern Ireland Water’s tariff increase, effective yesterday (1 October 2020), The Consumer Council is reminding businesses across the country to ensure that their water bills are accurate to avoid nasty surprises and to save money.

In the coming weeks, Northern Ireland Water will be sending out water bills to businesses in Northern Ireland. To help avoid any surprises and ensure businesses are being billed correctly, The Consumer Council has developed a range of helpful resources for businesses and farmers. The resources include an overview of what to look out for on your water bill, an animated video and a downloadable guide with further tips.

The Consumer Council has launched a dedicated website that provides a variety of helpful information for consumers in Northern Ireland who may have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic

Highlights video of our fourth annual Consumer Parliament and summary video of issues raised at our four regional parliaments. 

The Council Consumer has launched a new free online interactive budgeting tool to help households take control of their spending and identify areas where they can potentially save money.

The Consumer Council has had a successful year in 2018/19, advising and signposting a total of 1,213 consumers. Throughout the period, 3,782 enquiries and complaints were investigated, resulting in £212k being returned to the pockets of consumers in Northern Ireland.

Non-domestic water and sewerage charges set to rise by 2.7%

The Consumer Council encourages consumers to register their details if they need additional support.

Graham Smith, Head of Water at The Consumer Council said:

We have a range of useful guides and fact sheets that may be of use during bad weather. Please also see below for other useful contact numbers.

We have a range of useful guides and fact sheets that may be of use during bad weather. Please also see below for other useful contact numbers.

The Consumer Council met recently with the Comber Commerce and Development Group to advise local business owners on how to save money on their water bills. The team identified over £2,000 in potential savings for those who attended.

Matties Meeting House, Cairncastle has been congratulated by the Consumer Council for reducing its water use by a huge 74%.

Consumer Council welcomes NI Water price freezes but urges action for those affected by Net Annual Valuation increases

The Consumer Council is currently inviting views on its draft Corporate Plan 2016-21 and Forward Work Programme 2016-17.

The Consumer Council in partnership with Advice NI, Citizens Advice Bureau Northern Ireland and the Law Centre NI yesterday (07 October 2015) signed the ‘Consumer Rights Initiative’ Memorandum of Understanding.

Hughes Mushrooms has been congratulated by the Consumer Council for becoming more water efficient, with a weekly decrease in water consumption of 12,500 litres.

Mash Direct has been congratulated by the Consumer Council for becoming more water efficient.

Farmers and householders can potentially save money on utility bills and the Consumer Council will show them how, when it attends this year’s Balmoral Show from Wednesday 13 – Friday 15 May 2015.

Belmore Court and Motel has been congratulated by the Consumer Council for making savings of nearly £1,000 a year by becoming more water efficient.

Responding to today’s tariff review announcement by NI Water, Graham Smith, Head of Water Policy at the Consumer Council said : “Any increase in prices is unwelcome for non domestic consumers who pay water and sewerage charges. We have worked hard with NI Water and the Utility Regulator to make sure the increases are justified and we believe they are fair. However, we want to see NI Water continue to make improvements to the water and sewerage infrastructure and to the standards of service customers receive.

Now the weather has turned frosty and people are pulling out the winter woollies, the Consumer Council is urging consumers to get a copy of its ‘Weather the Winter’ leaflet to be winter ready in the event of severe weather.

CCNI response to Utility Regulator's PC15 announcement

Three of NI’s biggest companies, Coca-Cola Hellenic Northern Ireland, IKEA and Sainsbury’s, have helped swell the ranks of the Consumer Council’s Water Champions Award Scheme by saving vast quantities of water and money off their bills.

With One Direction’s Harry Styles recently being rapped by a water company for wasting water while brushing his teeth in a video post, the Consumer Council says we could all pick up a few tips on being more water efficient during World Water Week!

Continuing its campaign to help businesses make sure they aren’t paying more for their water than necessary, the Consumer Council has recently helped two NI supermarkets get over £5000 back on their water bills.

Farmers and householders can potentially save money on utility bills and the Consumer Council can show them how, when it attends both the Clogher Valley Agricultural Show on Wednesday 30 July and the Fermanagh County Show on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 August. The organisation also plans to offer free independent advice to farms to help ensure they aren’t paying more for water than they have to.

Farmers and householders can potentially save money on utility bills and the Consumer Council can show them how, when it attends the Antrim Agricultural Show on Saturday 26 July. The organisation also plans to offer free independent advice to farms to help ensure they aren’t paying more for water than they have to

The Consumer Council has said it will review the Utility Regulator’s draft determination on NI Water’s proposed spending plans for 2015-21, with consumers’ priorities in mind.

Almost £500,000 has made its way back to consumers' pockets over the last year after they turned to the Consumer Council for help with their complaint.

Farmers and householders can potentially save money on utility bills and the Consumer Council can show them how, when it attends the Castlewellan Agricultural Show on Saturday 19 July. The organisation also plans to offer free independent advice to farms to help ensure they aren’t paying more for water than they have to.

Moy Park is celebrating after receiving the Consumer Council’s Water Champion award. The accolade was given in recognition of the food company’s efforts to reduce its water use equivalent to 52 Olympic-sized swimming pools which led to savings of over £135,000.

The Consumer Council has partnered with UFU and NIAPA to encourage farms to get in touch with the consumer body for free, independent advice on the measures that can be taken to maximise water efficiency and drive down the cost of water bills.

The Consumer Council has awarded Wilson’s Country with a ‘Water Champions’ award after it made an olympic saving of over £70,000 on its annual water bill and took steps to reduce its water use.

Making information consumers want clearer and easier to access has been the key aim of the new updated Consumer Council website, which has gone live.

A new approach to NI Water’s business planning has ensured that consumers’ priorities will be more central than ever in investment decisions that will total nearly £1billion over the next six years.

The Consumer Council has welcomed NI Water’s announcement that water charges for its non domestic customers will reduce from April 1 this year by an average of 4%.

The City Hotel Derry has been congratulated by the Consumer Council for making savings of over £18,000 on its water bill in recent years. This comes at a time when the Consumer Council is keen to ensure that businesses aren’t paying more for their water than they have to.

The Consumer Council is encouraging businesses to get in touch with the organisation for free, independent advice to ensure they aren’t paying more for their water than they have to.

The Consumer Council has announced its most successful investigation ever with a cheque for £285,616 presented to Altnagelvin Hospital by NI Water following a billing dispute.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) consultation on the future of consumer representation in Northern Ireland has now closed and as readers will expect, the Consumer Council has submitted an in depth response. However, what has been really encouraging is that so many others took time to set out their reasons why consumer representation in Northern Ireland should be strengthened - not diminished or dismantled.

The Consumer Council is urging vulnerable consumers who might need additional support in the event of a loss of electricity, gas or water supplies to make sure that they are on the Customer Care and Critical Care Registers held by electricity, gas and water companies.

The Consumer Council is reminding the public that the deadline for the consultation on its future is Friday 17 January. It is encouraging consumers to make their voice heard if they wish to see the organisation remain in place.

The Consumer Council has published details of how it plans to represent consumers in energy, water and transport issues from April 2014 to March 2015 and is now inviting views from interested parties by 21 March 2014.

The Consumer Council has encouraged people living in Northern Ireland to make their voice heard in the ongoing public consultation on its future.

Jason Shankey Male Grooming is celebrating after the Consumer Council helped the business get over £20,000 reduced from its water bill. This draws a line under a long-running saga involving a shared water supply between a number of business premises in East Belfast.

The Northern Ireland Assembly has been awarded the Consumer Council’s ‘Water Champion’ status after it improved its water efficiency. The award is given to organisations that demonstrate how they have reduced water usage and saved money through the implementation of water saving measures.

The Consumer Council is set to attend the Fermanagh County Show on Wednesday 07 August, one of a number of agricultural shows it is attending during the summer months.

The Consumer Council urges householders to put safety first in the event of any flooding.

The Consumer Council is urging consumers to protect their homes should the predicted change in the weather result in flash flooding in some areas.

The Consumer Council is heading to the Antrim show at Shane’s Castle on Saturday 27 July, one of a number of shows it is attending during the summer. Consumer Council staff will be available to members of the public who have any queries on consumer issues, including how to get the best deals on water and energy bills.

The Consumer Council is heading to the Londonderry and Limavady show on Saturday 20 July, one of a number of shows it will be attending during the summer. Consumer Council staff will be available to members of the public who have any queries on consumer issues, including how to get the best deals on water and energy bills.

In the doom and gloom of the recession it’s not often people try to give us money. However, that is what the Consumer Council has done, helping to put £300,000 back into the pockets of 278 consumers, who went to the organisation last year with a complaint about energy, transport or water.

The Consumer Council is heading to the Newry Agricultural Show and Family Festival on Saturday 29 June 2013, one of a number of shows it will be attending during the summer.

St Bernard’s Primary School in Knock has been awarded the Consumer Council’s ‘Water Champion Award’. Schools, businesses and farms that demonstrate how they have saved money by reducing water usage and putting in place water efficiency measures are awarded the Water Champion accolade.

The Consumer Council is heading to the Armagh County Agricultural Show on Saturday 08 June 2013, one of a number of shows it will be attending during the summer.

The Consumer Council is urging consumers to protect their homes as snow continues to thaw.

The Consumer Council has awarded CAFRE (College for Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise) its ‘Water Champion Gold’ status for making water efficiency savings of 1,500m3 per year, a saving of approximately £1,600 off their annual water bill. 

The Consumer Council today (25 March) welcomed Northern Ireland Water’s (NI Water) announcement that there will be an average reduction of 2.7 per cent in water and sewerage charges. The news comes as NI Water publishes its Scheme of Charges for 2013-2014.

The Consumer Council spent two days at the Fermanagh County Show this week giving advice and information to visitors.
According to CEO of the Consumer Council Antoinette McKeown, the cost of water was a big issue for local farmers and switching energy providers was a matter of concern for many others.

The Consumer Council is teaming up with Waterwise and the Environment Agency to encourage public, private and third sector organisations in Northern Ireland to enter the Water Efficiency Awards.

Water consumers continue to have their say as the Consumer Council’s new report shows. The report “Tapping into Consumer Views on Water – Update Report” looks at the services delivered by Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) and how these have been improved by implementing consumers’ recommendations.

The Consumer Council organised a meeting of local residents and business
owners in Rosslea last Thursday (18/08/11) so that they could hear first hand
Northern Ireland (NI) Water’s plans to make the much needed improvements to
the local water supply.

If you are connected to a public sewer you will pay sewerage charges to NI Water. If you get a large bill because of a leak you can get an allowance against the additional sewerage charges. This leakage allowance needs to be applied for from NI Water.

Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) has confirmed that approximately 1,300[1] customers have been billed incorrectly after another data error was discovered. 

As three reports investigating the failures of Northern Ireland’s water and sewerage services are published, the Consumer Council calls for action not words to restore public confidence and prevent any further confusion.

The Consumer Council issued its Election Manifesto 2011 today highlighting four key areas for change that Northern Ireland consumers have told them they would like the Northern Ireland Assembly to address in the forthcoming Election

During Christmas and New Year, 40,000 customers across Northern Ireland were left without water supplies during one of the worst water crises to hit Northern Ireland.

We have a series of leaflets with advice on flooding.

Around 3,000 households and businesses in Kilkeel have been affected by disruption to their water for over 24 hours.

Thousands of consumers across Northern Ireland have been hit hard by the water
crisis over the Christmas and New Year period. Many homes and businesses have been let down by NI Water’s response; left without mains water for days; had water rationing and been frustrated by the accuracy or lack of information available.

Antoinette McKeown, Chief Executive at the Consumer Council said: “During the water crisis, consumers were failed by a disjointed approach from NI Water, who did not instigate a strategic, cross-agency emergency plan. Now the two-part review itself is set(1) to be carried out in a similar disjointed method. The final composite report will consist of two reports; the Regulator’s report into the failings of NI Water and the two appointee’s report into the broader governance issues and DRD.

The Consumer Council has called for the NI Executive’s inquiry into the NI Water crisis to be truly independent and comprehensive in the wake of Laurence MacKenzie’s offer to resign.

The Consumer Council remains extremely concerned about the water crisis that has gripped Northern Ireland and the affect it is having on consumers. The body representing consumers in Northern Ireland has urged the NI Executive to do more to alleviate the misery of thousands of households as the deepening water crisis continues to wreak havoc for consumers and citizens across the region.

The Consumer Council remains concerned about the lack of quality information available to affected water customers in Northern Ireland and the inadequate facilities that have been provided by NI water. It is essential NI Water deliver on their commitments to prevent further frustration among consumers.

Now that NI Water have responded to the clear demand from consumers for information as to when their supply will be restored, it is essential NI Water deliver on their commitments to prevent further frustration amongst consumers.

‘Preparation is key’ is the advice given by the Consumer Council today (23 December 2010). Severe weather has caused havoc for the past three weeks and looks set to continue over the Christmas period. The Consumer Council has published advice on how to deal with frozen pipes, power cuts and keeping your house warm. The information also contains emergency telephone numbers that could help you through Christmas safely.

With another severe weather warning issued for today(a)(16 December), householders and travellers can expect some disruption to their electricity and water supply or their travel plans over the next few days. The Consumer Council is re-issuing a series of up-to-date factsheets offering advice on how to prepare in advance for frozen water pipes and flooding, black outs and travel disruption.

Severe weather in Northern Ireland has caused travel cancellations and disruption across all forms of transport.

With the continuing strong winds and heavy rain across Northern Ireland, The Consumer Council is calling on people to be prepared when the weather takes a turn for the worse. The Consumer Council has launched a series of leaflets offering advice to protect your home from flooding and has issued advice on our website about what to do should your electricity fail

Antoinette McKeown, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council said:
“The Consumer Council is alarmed to learn through the media that NI Water has
been involved in an out of court settlement with Steria for the termination of its
multimillion pound contract. This is a shocking revelation in terms of openness
and value for money for NI Water customers and taxpayers.

The Consumer Council has announced that it is withdrawing from the Water Stakeholders Partnership Agreement1 (Partnership Agreement) due to a breakdown in trust.

The Consumer Council Chief Executive and Chair met today (1 September) with Minister Conor Murphy to put their questions, concerns and demands to him following recent revelations about the handling of an independent review of Northern Ireland Water’s (NI Water) contracts issuing practices.

The Consumer Council has commented on this week’s developments regarding investigations into Northern Ireland Water (NI Water). Antoinette McKeown, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council said: “These latest developments are a further blow to consumer confidence, which had already plummeted following the revelations about NI Water’s misuse of public money. Very serious questions must be answered. Earlier this week the Consumer Council asked for and has now secured a meeting with Minister Murphy and we will be pressing him with those questions on consumers’ behalf.

With consumers across Northern Ireland affected by flash flooding on Wednesday 21 July – giving rise to concerns that more could be on the way – the Consumer Council has issued advice for homes and businesses.

The Consumer Council is urging non domestic water customers to read and keep safe the ‘Summary of Charges’ leaflet which they will be receiving shortly from Northern Ireland Water (NI Water).

The Consumer Council is encouraging schools, businesses and households in Northern Ireland to save water and in turn save energy and money. This is the message of Water Saving Week 2010, a national campaign which runs from 12-18 June with the theme: “Three reasons to save water: Save Energy, Save Money, Be Green”.

Following the report by the Engineering the Future Alliance which states that water supplies may be under threat for future generations, the Consumer Council is taking the opportunity to inform consumers on the importance of making responsible choices about water and how to use it more efficiently.

The Consumer Council has said it is appalled following confirmation of a serious breakdown in management by Northern Ireland Water (NI Water).

The Consumer Council says it will continue to push for best value water and sewerage services and that today is a milestone but not the final destination. The comments came as the Utility Regulator today published its Final Determination on Northern Ireland Water’s (NI Water) spending plans for the next three years (Price Control 2010/PC10).

The Consumer Council says clarity is needed on what the agreement reached between Government and the insurance industry actually means for consumers who are affected by flooding.

Kathy Graham, Head of Water at the Consumer Council said:” The Consumer Council received a summary document yesterday and looks forward to reviewing the Draft Determination in full later today. Our focus continues to be a water and sewerage service that is fair, affordable and sustainable and this will drive our assessment of today’s proposals.

Kathy Graham, Head of Water at the Consumer Council said, “The Consumer Council welcomes the fact that those worst affected by recent flooding will be helped by the emergency payments scheme announced by the Department of the Environment today, but we are calling for a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach going forward.

Heavy rain over the Bank Holiday weekend resulted in localised flooding throughout Northern Ireland and in turn, many homes were left devastated by floodwater.

Kathy Graham, Head of Water at the Consumer Council said, “The Consumer Council is aware that households in the Hilltown area were cut off from their water supply last week. Any interruption to water supply has a big impact on people’s daily lives and we understand the frustrations of those who were affected.

Kathy Graham from the Consumer Council said, “The Consumer Council welcomes the news that the transfer of responsibilities from Steria to Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) has been completed successfully. This move will allow NI Water to engage more directly with their customers and as a result, get to know and understand their needs better.

Water consumers have their say as the Consumer Council launches a research report “Tapping into Consumer Views on Water” today at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry (Friday 27 March 2009). Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) commissioned the Consumer Council to undertake the landmark research to find out what householders and businesses think of water and sewerage services and what their priorities are to make them better.

Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council said: “The Consumer Council welcomed today’s statement from the Northern Ireland (NI) Executive that water charges are to be deferred for one year.  This is a clear sign that the NI Executive is in touch with and listening to the concerns of consumers as they struggle to manage the cost of household bills.  Consumers here will greet this news with a huge sigh of relief and recognition that devolution works for consumers.

“The Consumer Council welcomed today’s statement from First Minister, Peter Robinson that the timing and phasing of the introduction of water charges should be re-considered as a clear sign that he is in touch with and listening to the concerns of consumers as they face into a difficult winter with the soaring cost of living. Consumers here will greet this news with a sigh of relief.

Following severe flash flooding in the Newry and Mourne area last night, the Consumer Council and local elected representatives will meet Northern Ireland Water (NIW) and other agencies to discuss how flooding can be prevented and what lessons can be learned to provide the right help to households in distress.

Steve Costello, Chairman of the Consumer Council said: “We welcome Northern Ireland Water’s up-front commitment to focus on consumers and develop an efficient water and sewerage service for Northern Ireland. These are the two fundamental building blocks that will help us all to make sure we deliver this precious resource at the lowest price and highest quality

The Consumer Council today stated that consumers are likely to face soaring water bills from 2010 unless costs are urgently brought under control. They called on Minister Conor Murphy to continue to keep the focus on getting water right for consumers so that they have a guarantee that any future water bills will be fair and affordable.

The Consumer Council expressed dismay at the revelation that Northern Ireland Water has made basic business miscalculations that could lead to domestic water bills soaring by up to an extra £20 million this year[1]. Consumers must not pick up the cost of Northern Ireland Water getting their figures wrong. Northern Ireland Water must be held accountable for this sheer incompetence and come clean with all their figures to explain fully what went wrong here.

The Consumer Council supports the report from the Independent Water Review Panel (the Panel) that if accepted, will see consumers pay an average of two-thirds less than expected under Direct Rule and the extension of the unique affordability tariff to help people who may struggle to pay more for their water. This package of consumer-focussed proposals will go a long way to restoring public trust with local people given more say in how their money is spent and how their water company is run.

The Consumer Council today gave its full support to the Independent Water
Review Panel’s first report saying it is the best, most practical starting point for getting the right deal for all consumers, particularly those on low incomes. The report confirms that consumers do already pay for water and recommends that they should not pay any more until April 2009 when the proposed average household bill would be two thirds less than expected at around £120, instead of £334.

The Consumer Council today welcomed the focus of Minister Conor Murphy and the Assembly in taking on the challenge of getting water reform right as a real example of devolution working for consumers. The comments came at the launch of the Consumer Council’s latest research report “Water and the Consumer: Driving for a Fair Deal” at Stormont which gives an up-to-date insight into consumers’ views of paying for water.

The Consumer Council today voiced its commitment to drive for a fair deal for consumers of water and sewerage services and a quality Water Service within the independent review announced by the Minister for Regional Development. They welcomed the restored Assembly’s fresh approach to one of the biggest issues facing the public and gave full support to the open and transparent review of the entire water and sewerage reform process.

The Consumer Council today gave its full support to the Northern Ireland Executive’s decision to defer water charges and conduct a short and focused independent review into water reform. In particular it welcomed new Minister, Conor Murphy’s open and transparent approach to the issue and pledged its commitment to working positively and proactively with him and the Assembly to drive for a fair deal for consumers and a high quality water and sewerage service.

The Consumer Council has formally been established in law as the champion to represent the interests of water consumers here and hold Northern Ireland Water Limited (NIWL) to account. To mark the occasion, the Consumer Council’s Water Group held its first meeting as part of the organisation’s new legal responsibilities for water that came into affect on 1 April 2007.

The Consumer Council today welcomed the announcement that water charges are to be deferred and considered by a local devolved Assembly and that further discussions on the financial package are to take place with the Chancellor.

The Consumer Council today criticised the Government for attempting to force its draft water legislation through the House of Lords despite a unique High Court Declaration or “judicial health warning”, repeated calls for deferment from the NI Assembly and others and heightened consumer fears about the stability of the new Go-Co following the Regulator’s recent announcement that the Water Service is “a hugely inefficient operation”. As a result, the Consumer Council is asking the Minister for straight answers to fundamental questions now.

The first Northern Ireland High Court Declaration to Parliament issued today sets out clearly and succinctly that the draft Water and Sewerage Order was not subject to full consultation. The Declaration comes after the Consumer Council mounted a successful Judicial Review.

Steve Costello, Chairman of the Consumer Council said: “Following the success of the Consumer Council’s judicial review today, Mr Justice Weatherup made legal history here by deciding to attach a judicial health warning (declaration) on the draft water and sewerage Order due to go before Parliament next week.

The Consumer Council today welcomed the decision of the High Court to issue a Judicial Health Warning to the draft Water legislation. This unprecedented step - the first in Northern Ireland legal history - follows the decision by the Court that the Government had not listened adequately to the consumers voice in drawing up this important legislation.

Steve Costello, Chairman of the Consumer Council said: “The Consumer Council welcomes the delaying of the draft Order for Water and Sewerage Services in this Parliamentary session to await the outcome of our judicial review. The Department for Regional Development told the High Court that the timetable for the passing of the draft Order for Water and Sewerage Services here was “immutable”. We are pleased to learn that this now appears not to be the case.

Steve Costello, Chairman at the Consumer Council said: “Water charging affects every home and business in Northern Ireland. The Consumer Council believes that the consultation process relating to the draft Water and Sewerage (NI) Order 2006 is flawed and that is why we sought leave for a Judicial Review on behalf of all consumers here.

The Consumer Council is today demanding upfront guarantees from the Government to avert the danger of water bills soaring from 2010 when water and sewerage services become self-financing. It is also warning that its powers are being curtailed and the water consumer’s voice is being eroded in the Government’s rush to get things done rather than getting things right now and in the future.

Budding young artists from all over Northern Ireland took the honours at this year’s Consumer Council poster competition. U105’s Maurice Jay presented the winners with their prizes at an awards presentation at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Craigavon on 16 June.

<p>Responding to the publication of the draft Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order by the Minister for Regional Development, the Consumer Council believes that the Government has missed a golden opportunity to introduce the developer pays principle in a fair way. The Consumer Council cautioned that there is real potential of eroding the confidence of the 700,000 households who will now have to pay more than they should because of the way the Government is implementing this policy.</p>

<p>The Consumer Council today applauded the introduction of a unique Government funded £30 million protection scheme for vulnerable water consumers – the first of its kind in the UK.</p>

<p>The Consumer Council today welcomed the announcement of a one-year delay in the Government’s timetable for the introduction of water and sewerage charges by Minister for Regional Development, Shaun Woodward.</p>

<p>Citybeat’s Maurice Jay brought a smile to the faces of seventeen budding young artists recently when he hosted The Consumer Council’s ‘Use Water Wisely’ schools’ poster competition awards presentation.</p>

<p>The Consumer Council today called on the Minister for Regional Development, Shaun Woodward, to announce a one-year delay in the introduction of water charges.</p>

<p>The Consumer Council says that the Government needs to take more time to allow for an open and considered debate on how it proposes to introduce water charges in the fairest way possible.</p>

<p>Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive at the Consumer Council said: “For the ordinary person in the street, this news of a 9 per cent increase in rates in itself is worrying. However, when you look at this rates hike (almost three times above inflation*) alongside pending water charges it is doubly worrying, particularly for those who are struggling to make ends meet.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council has welcomed today’s Belfast Telegraph report of a proposed delay to the introduction of water charges here. However, the Council says if there is to be a delay, it must be used to get the system right.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council believes an immediate delay to the Government’s water reform agenda is needed in order to get it right. It believes that full and proper consultation on water reform has been short-circuited by the Government’s publication of its Integrated Impact Assessment today.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council has today launched its consumer proposals for the reform of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. It is also repeating its call to delay the introduction of direct charging.</p>
<p>Visit our online poll and register your support for our alternative proposals on water and sewerage reform. Why not write a letter of support to your local paper?</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council today responded to a leaked memo from the Department for Regional Development indicating that Government is considering delaying the introduction of new water charges in Northern Ireland.</p>

<p>As appeared in Belfast Telegraph 22/09/2004</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council today called for more detailed information on the make up of the new water charge so that all consumers can have confidence that it is fair, reasonable and value for money. In addition, the Council voiced its concern that the Government’s proposed 25 per cent discount on water charges would hit the vulnerable hard.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council - the consumer representative for water users here - has called on the Government to have an open and transparent debate on the proposed introduction of water charges here.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council today welcomed John Spellar’s announcement that it will become the consumer representative body for water users here.</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council is concerned at the details in a leaked memo, published in today’s Belfast Telegraph, which says that water charges here are likely to be the highest in the United Kingdom when they are introduced in April 2006.</p>

<p>By the time you read this sentence, someone will have died from a water-borne disease. This is among the shocking facts to be revealed at the General Consumer Council’s conference and debate to mark World Consumer Rights Day.</p>

<p>Public health must continue to be protected as a top priority in any new system of water charging. This is one of the main messages from the General Consumer Council in response to the Government’s consultation on paying for water.</p>

<p>A crystal clear debate on water charging is needed, according to the General Consumer Council’s latest paper, Paying for Water. The paper was launched today ahead of a public meeting in Belfast tonight (13 May).</p>

<p>The General Consumer Council is opposed to the privatisation of the Water Service calling instead for a new public water authority to be set up.1</p>

The Consumer Council has formally been established in law as the champion to represent the interests of water consumers here and hold Northern Ireland Water Limited (NIWL) to account. To mark the occasion, the Consumer Council’s Water Group held its first meeting as part of the organisation’s new legal responsibilities for water that came into affect on 1 April 2007.