To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on Northern Ireland Water's installation of Event Duration Monitors.

NI Water intends to install 646 event duration monitors in PC21, at an approximate cost of £16.5m.

The installation of these event duration monitors has been planned in three two-year phases and commenced in April 2021, with the PC21 (Phase 1) focusing on bathing and shellfish water locations and subsequent phases focusing on other priority areas, as agreed with NIEA.

The EDMs for PC21 (Phase 1) are fully installed and the data has substantially completed validation, with the majority now confirmed to be sending reliable information back to NI Water’s Alarm Management Centre.

In PC21 (Phase 2), NI Water has progressed installation of EDMs in other priority areas and overflows, as agreed with NIEA, and the data is undergoing validation.

As of October 2024, 292 storm overflows have had EDMs installed and sufficiently verified to support effective use for operational maintenance and monitoring. Of these, 122 have been fully quality assured for both operational maintenance and release of spill count data to the public

NI Water is working with NIEA on progressing Phase 3 in 2026-27, which will include further deployments within the Lough Neagh area.

NI Water also plans to install a further 98 EDMs at Wastewater Treatment Works during PC21 and is working with NIEA regarding priority sites.

The information provided by event duration monitors will give NI Water an accurate assessment of how discharge points are performing and will help to inform future investment plans, ensuring money is targeted where most needed.