The programme is focused on housing estates which are not taken-in-charge by local authorities and do not have their water services connected to the public water services network but rely instead on infrastructure, often temporary in nature, which was provided by developers.
Much of the infrastructure, generally consisting of small standalone wastewater treatment "package" plants were put in place in the 1990's and early 2000's.
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Following consideration by an Expert Panel, the Minister approved funding allocations to 10 local authorities to resolve 26 housing estates providing water services to almost 950 homes.
Minister O'Brien said: "I am glad that this new multi-annual programme is up and running and that we are starting the process of helping the many families who are living in residential estates that are dependent on sub-standard developer provided wastewater or drinking water treatment plants for their water services. Many residents in these estates made a major financial commitment in buying their homes.
"This first allocation under the multi-annual programme marks the first step in the taking-in-charge of these estates. The fact that the programme needed to be introduced demonstrates the importance of ensuring that public elements of housing developments such as the roads, open spaces, car parks, and service connections in their estate are completed to the satisfactory standard and maintained thereafter by the appropriate authority."
