The Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill was formally introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly today, Wednesday, 25 June 2025.

This significant piece of legislation is designed to enhance processes for NI Water and introduce new methods for reducing and mitigating flood risk across the region.

The Bill seeks to bolster Northern Ireland's resilience during extreme weather events, such as droughts, and facilitate the adoption of more environmentally friendly approaches to water management.

Minister Kimmins commented: "This is an important step forward and will help us to meet the challenges in how we manage, use and treat our water resources, future-proof the system, and get on a path to integrate natural drainage systems more into our wastewater infrastructure." The Minister further explained that the Bill forms an integral part of her "three-pronged approach" to delivering a more robust water and wastewater infrastructure. This broader strategy aims to meet the needs of Northern Ireland's growing population and adapt to increasingly changing weather patterns. The three-pronged approach also includes securing more investment for wastewater infrastructure and exploring options for developer contributions to fund improvements.

Among its provisions, the Bill is expected to provide NI Water with expanded powers to implement water shortage measures, such as wider hosepipe restrictions during droughts. It will also enable the Department for Infrastructure to continue the Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme, assisting eligible homeowners in making their properties more resilient to flooding. Furthermore, the legislation will allow the Department to issue future guidance on the design, maintenance, and adoption of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), promoting their use as the preferred method for managing surface water.