Water bills for NI in 18 months

There will no additional water charges until April 2009

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.

"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.

These charges would be in addition to the £160 on average already paid for water and sewage services through rates.

REVIEW PROPOSALS Privatisation ruled out No water metering Direct rule proposals abandoned No standing charge No 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%).

"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

"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.

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.