Residents and businesses in rural Northern Ireland report that communities are being left "devastated" as the company responsible for the region's wastewater network admits it is at "breaking point."
This situation has resulted in restrictions on new housing developments and business expansions in certain areas.
One individual told NI that he is unable to return to his childhood village due to a shortage of housing, describing the situation as "extremely frustrating."
NI Water (NIW) has acknowledged that the wastewater system "cannot cope during heavy rainfall" and warned that without additional funding and urgent reforms, there will be "persistent and worsening pollution."
New data obtained by NI indicates that by the end of last year, NIW estimated over 50,000 properties across Northern Ireland sought connections to the wastewater system. However, nearly 20,000 were unable to connect due to insufficient infrastructure upgrades and concerns about environmental pollution.
'Many people are annoyed'
Ciaran Devlin's family has resided in the Loup area for more than a century. This rural village, located near Magherafelt on the western shores of Lough Neagh, is where he grew up. However, he is unable to move back due to a lack of available housing and adequate water infrastructure to support new properties.
"It's extremely frustrating, because when you grow up somewhere rural like this you have a bond with the place," he said.
"I know a lot of young people who want to raise their families here but can't, and it's left many people very annoyed."
Architect Ryan Dougan noted that in the past 25 years, only about 10 to 12 houses have been built in the Loup.
"Unfortunately this has led to the Loup losing people to other areas and this impacts things like numbers attending the local GAA club and the school," he said.
"There's a proposal for 65 new houses in the Loup and the response from NI Water is that there simply isn't enough water capacity, and people in this area are pleading for houses."
Last week, the infrastructure minister announced plans for a voluntary scheme allowing developers to contribute towards the costs of upgrading NI Water's wastewater infrastructure. This proposal has faced criticism from house builders' lobby groups.
NIW has also confirmed wastewater network issues in Cookstown.
Jim Eastwood, representing Cookstown Enterprise Centre, described water constraints in the town as a significant setback for growing businesses.
"A busy bakery we've supported on the main street of Cookstown can't move into a bigger premises because they cannot get a water connection," he said.
"It's devastating for a town like this, I'm just surprised and disappointed it has been allowed to get to this stage."
Mid Ulster Council's Chief Executive, Adrian McCreesh, expressed that it was "extremely disappointing" that development was being hindered.
Speaking at a recent council meeting, McCreesh stated:
"There are ratepayers and citizens who can't live in the communities in which they were born and reared.
It is soul destroying to hear this year after year. The message doesn't change."
McCreesh made these remarks during a presentation by NIW to the council last month.
NIW acknowledged that some areas are experiencing "severe restrictions on new housing developments," which is also causing "slower business development."
The company outlined "significant funding constraints impacting delivery of upgrades needed to support housing, economic growth and environmental protection."
Nonetheless, NIW indicated ongoing investments in several wastewater treatment works, including those in Dungannon, Ballygawley, and Moyola.
What about pollution?
NIW also warned that without urgent improvements to the wastewater system, Northern Ireland faces the risk of "persistent and worsening pollution."
Data from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency shows that agriculture remains the largest overall source of water pollution in the region, although NIW is also a notable contributor to pollution incidents.
Fisherman Leslie Crozier recently recorded footage of discoloured water in Omagh's River Drumagh, as well as baby wipes and what appeared to be human waste in the River Strule.
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I saw actual toilet sewerage material and things like sanitary products. So how can that be treated water?" Crozier said.
"NI Water often puts the blame onto others, when their own website shows how many times they discharge sewerage into our rivers and there should be tougher punishments for them when they break the rules."
A spokesperson for NIW stated that its investigation found the company was "operating normally in the area" and suggested the discoloured water in the River Drumragh could be "mud silt arising from a construction site further upstream."
NIW added that it had not been made aware of any issues in the River Strule but noted that blockages could contribute to pollution incidents, urging the public to be mindful.
For nearly two decades, NI Water has been shielded from the harshest pollution fines due to a special arrangement acknowledging its outdated and underfunded infrastructure.
Earlier this month, Environment Minister Andrew Muir indicated that reforms could lead to NI Water facing stricter penalties for waterway pollution issues.
Is there a solution?
Northern Ireland is unique within the UK in that households do not pay directly for their water services.
Instead, NI Water receives a government subsidy that diverts over £300 million annually from the Stormont Executive's budget.
Previously, water charges were included as part of household rates, but this link was severed in 1998.
However, a report published in June 2025 suggested that a £100 increase in the average household rates bill could largely resolve Northern Ireland's water infrastructure crisis.
