NI housing: Outdated sewage systems stall building in 23 towns

In a statement, the DfI said the board of NI Water “confirmed that it will live within” the budget provided.

However, even if fully funded, the independent Utility Regulator’s final determination only allowed for connecting 4,500 properties in the period 2021-2027, the department added.

The Chartered Institute of Housing said “vital preventative measures” need to be taken by the DfI and the Department for Communities (DfC) to “prevent further escalation of the housing and homelessness crisis”.

The chief executive of the Construction Employers’ Federation, Mark Spence, said the number of houses built last year was 5,418 when the executive has a target of 10,000 a year.

“The Utility Regulator agreed with NI Water in 2021 that they they needed around £600m a year to deliver these essential upgrades, that’s near a third of our entire capital budget just on sewage,” Mr Spence said.

“We don’t appreciate it because we can’t see it, we just expect it – until it goes wrong or until your family can’t afford that starter home or the social home that they need,” he added.