To ask the Minister for Regional Development how organisations in the community and voluntary sector will be impacted by increases to water charges.

The 2015/16 tariffs for water and sewerage services apply to all non-domestic customers including voluntary organisations and charities. This increase will depend on whether the relevant organisations are metered or unmeasured. The average increase in non-domestic charges is 2.4%. Despite this increase, customers will still be paying an average of 5.6 % less than they were in 2012.

A typical unmeasured bill will increase annually by approximately £16, while the smallest measured (metered) bill will increase by £4. The largest measured customer will see an annual increase of £45.

It is important to remember that the Executive continues to subsidise non-domestic customers’ charges by providing a domestic allowance for measured consumers and a 50% discount for unmeasured consumers.