Tap tax 'not linked to property'

There are plans to introduce water charges in Northern Ireland

The value of property should not determine how much is paid in water charges, according to Northern Ireland's utility regulator.

Iain Osbourne, the man overseeing water and sewerage regulation, said metering households and businesses would restore confidence in water services.

He has made six recommendations to the Water Review Panel set up by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy.

It is meant to decide whether water charges should be brought in next year.

Mr Osbourne said: "Our key duties as the regulator of water and sewerage services are to protect consumer interests, to ensure standards of services are delivered efficiently and to ensure that these services can be financed.

"We welcome this review as an opportunity to reinforce the important framework of controls which exist for the governance of this industry.

"We also welcome the minister having invited the review to report quickly on key issues, and in general conduct a focused exercise."

Paying twice

Not introducing the proposed new water charges in 2007-2008 was the first decision of the power-sharing executive.

First Minister Ian Paisley said they had decided to conduct a review to address financing water and sewerage services, to be completed by the autumn.

The new Northern Ireland Executive has already set aside £75m to meet the cost of deferring the charges for the coming 12 months.

He said not imposing the charges would save the average Northern Ireland household £100 in the year ahead.

The regulator said risks must be clearly identified, ensuring that the customer does not pay twice.

He said water pricing policies must ensure an adequate contribution to the recovery of costs of water services from industry, households and agriculture by 2010.

Funding arrangements must enable a long-term investment programme to be planned and executed to support environmental sustainability," he said.