Householders may not pay water bills for the next three years under legislation introduced in the Northern Ireland Assembly today.
The law would allow government to subsidise the cost of water while a long-term solution is considered. No decision on deferring or imposing charges has been taken.
The Water and Sewerage Services (Amendment) Bill was launched by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy who said the long term financial implications of deferring water charges were for further Executive discussion.
The Assembly heard Alliance Party claims putting off bills was costing £200 million (€219.1m) a year.
Mr Murphy said: “It (the legislation) provides for the continuance of a sound legal basis for the Executive to pay domestic customers’ bills on their behalf”.
The legislation would allow subsidy for delivery of water services to continue from government.
PA