To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether all new developments are required to implement sewer and storm water separation.

Under Article 161 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, there is a requirement for developers to enter into agreements for adoption of all sewers serving two or more properties. Article 161 agreements state that the developer must construct all sewers in accordance with Sewers for Adoption NI Edition 1, which requires separate foul and surface water sewer systems to be provided. Developers must construct the sewerage in accordance with the terms of the agreement in order to have the sewers adopted by NI Water.

Additionally, officials in the Department of Finance have advised that Part N (Drainage) of the building regulations provides for separate drainage systems for foul water and rainwater from a building to the point where they meet a sewer or other specified point of disposal.