To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the funding that has been allocated to NI Water for the long-term resolution of the sewer flooding issues affecting Christie Park, including underneath Sandelford Bridge, in Coleraine; (ii) how future instances of sewer flooding in this area will be avoided; and (iii) what funding has been allocated for the Northern Ireland-wide PC21 (2021-27) investment programme.

I am advised by NI Water that a solution to address the sewer flooding affecting Christie Park is not sufficiently progressed, and therefore there is currently no funding allocated to resolve this issue. Any scheme to address the sewer flooding issue in the Christie Park area, including underneath the Sandelford Bridge, will be subject to sufficient funding, and prioritisation, within the PC21 Investment Programme.

In terms of plans to address future instances of sewer flooding in this area, NI Water has developed a sewer network model to inform a Coleraine Drainage Area Plan (DAP). A high level solution emerging from the model is to upgrade NI Water sewerage infrastructure in the Christie Park area, potentially involving the upsizing of main sewers that run alongside the river and the replacement of the existing Strand Road Wastewater Pumping Station Outline options for inclusion in the Coleraine DAP will be completed in the summer of 2021, with detailed solutions being subject to agreement with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

The PC21 process is well underway with the issue of a Draft Determination setting out the Utility Regulator’s initial assessment of NI Water’s Business Plan and funding requirements over the six-year period from 2021-27. Over the six-year period, the Draft Determination states that approximately £2bn will be invested in water and sewerage services, this compares to funding of £990m for PC15. You will be aware that presently funding can only be allocated on an annual basis, and the process for setting the budget for 2021-22 has not commenced.

It is essential that the appropriate level of funding is provided to NI Water to ensure that these essential services are progressed. NI Water’s PC21 investment programme requires a multi-year budget settlement to provide medium term certainty and to enable greater capital efficiencies. I am working collaboratively with Executive colleagues to raise awareness of this need and to secure this important investment in our water and sewerage infrastructure.