To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any steps her Department is taking to review and strengthen the management of storm drainage infrastructure located near rivers, to reduce the risk of harmful discharges.

My Department is currently bringing forward the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill which includes additional powers for NI Water in relation to drainage miscommunications and private drainage infrastructure which will help improve protection of the environment from pollution.

I have also secured £15 million from the Public Sector Transformation Fund to develop and deliver a pilot project that will use nature-based solutions to help transform our urban drainage systems. The aim is to provide a range of nature-based drainage and flood management solutions to demonstrate their effectiveness in managing the flow of water through urban areas, helping to reduce flood risk and reduce pollution.

NI Water also works closely with the NIEA in the investigation and rectification of the misuse of surface water drains which leads to pollution of surface water outfalls (PSWO).