£20m water bill shortfall probe

By Martina Purdy
BBC NI political correspondent

The shortfall is thought to be £20 million per year

Northern Ireland Water is being asked to explain how a shortfall in its projected revenues came about.

A Stormont committee is also speaking to officials from the Department of Regional Development.

The shortfall, thought to be £20m per year, could lead to higher than expected household water bills.

The Regional Development Committee has been trying to find out who exactly is to blame for the miscalculation, which was made public a few weeks ago.

A number of options are on the table.

These include the Stormont Executive funding the gap this year, households directly paying an average of £30 extra a year when bills are introduced next year, or Northern Ireland Water find the money from within its own resources.

The Department of Regional Development, which was responsible for the Water Service before the new water company was set up in 2006, is unlikely to escape blame by some members of the committee.

The regulator will also be asked for its view on the matter.