To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for his assessment of the contribution of wastewater discharges in reducing water quality.

Mr Muir

I am aware of the impact of sewage pollution on water quality. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) undertakes an extensive water quality monitoring programme in Northern Ireland's rivers and lakes. NIEA's river waterbody monitoring indicates that 53% of river waterbodies are impacted by agriculture-related pressures and that 25% by sewage-related pressures. The percentages include a significant number of waterbodies, some 21%, that are impacted by sewage and agricultural pressures. The research, which was led by AFBI and published in October 2020, examined substance-flow analysis for phosphorus in Northern Ireland's food system. Of the estimated 1,530 tons of phosphorus lost to water, 62% was determined to be from agricultural sources and 36% from sewage, of which 24% was attributed to waste water and a further 12% to septic tanks. The approved environmental improvement plan for Northern Ireland sets out my commitment to improve water quality, including the requirement to publish the third cycle river basin management plan and the associated programme of measures. Work to improve water quality will require collective action across government, the public and private sectors and wider society.

Mr Muir

I can answer that question in a number of ways. The third cycle river basin management plan has been with the Executive for approval for a while, and I continue to engage with my Executive colleagues on it. If Members will bear with me, I will explain this a bit more. When NI Water was established in 2007, a statement of regulatory principles and intent (SORPI) was put in place, and it has remained in place. A number of years ago, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency exited from the element on drinking water. People should understand about SORPI that, when dealing with regulation or enforcement against NI Water for sewage pollution, the historical underinvestment must be taken into account. Therefore, in many instances, Northern Ireland water is getting a by-ball for pumping sewage into our waterways. That is not tenable, and, as Minister, I will be honest and fair to all polluters in Northern Ireland. That is why I am engaged in a formal process to get the views of NI Water and DFI on our exiting that arrangement and putting Northern Ireland Water on the same platform as all other polluters in Northern Ireland. I will make a final decision on that in the forthcoming weeks. It is just not tenable that Northern Ireland Water should be treated differently from other polluters. It is a corporate polluter and should be treated as such.

Mr O'Toole

Minister, you set out your views on NI Water and SORPI. However, you have also said that you want to give the Infrastructure Minister and her predecessor time and space to come up with a funding solution. They have had time and space, and there is no funding solution. Heads appear to be stuck in the sand. What pressure are you bringing to bear on the Infrastructure Minister to come up with a plan to invest in NI Water? The situation is getting worse, and our water is in crisis. What pressure are you bringing to bear on your ministerial colleague?

Mr Muir

I am on record as saying that I will support the Infrastructure Minister in funding bids for Northern Ireland Water. That is the kind of person that I am. I will support that investment, which needs to take place. The pressure that I am bringing to bear relates to the regulation and enforcement arrangements for Northern Ireland Water, as I outlined, and the set-up that has been in place since 2007. It is not tenable to have that in place. NI Water, in its current state, is not fit for purpose. What is happening in Northern Ireland with regard to sewage pollution in our waterways is nothing short of a thundering disgrace. It is wrong. Belfast lough is likely to become the next Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland due to the level of pollution that is occurring. The lack of investment in waste water infrastructure is not just holding back economic investment and housebuilding but destroying our environment. We cannot continue to kick the can down the road. It is for others to step up and take decisions on it.

Mr Chambers

Minister, do you share my disappointment that there is not one specific mention in the Programme for Government that suggests any solutions to tackle the pollution in Belfast lough? We both realise that it will be the next Lough Neagh.

Mr Muir

The Programme for Government sets out areas of commitment, one of which relates to improving the environment. In the environmental improvement plan, we have actions that I seek to take as Minister. Clearly, what is required with regard to waste water infrastructure is investment. The Northern Ireland Audit Office has set out its views on that: people would do well to pay heed to them.