To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any legislation or regulation that permits NI Water to decline to provide a connection to a building that has been derelict for at least five years.

The management of the public water and wastewater infrastructure is an operational matter for NI Water. I have sought further information from NI Water to inform the response to your question.

NI Water has advised that the issue of connections to derelict properties is a matter of company policy rather than an issue specified in legislation or regulations. The company has clarified that the intent of the 5-year policy is to help support development in closed catchments where possible while managing the load on wastewater treatment works and associated networks. This approach helps to ensure these assets can still perform effectively and meet environmental standards.