NI Water's wastewater network faces capacity limits that block new housing and business development in parts of Northern Ireland. The company states the system cannot handle heavy rainfall without upgrades. Over 50,000 properties sought connections by end of last year but nearly 20,000 could not due to pollution risks.

In the Loup area near Magherafelt, Ciaran Devlin cannot return to his family home because no houses with proper water connections are available. Devlin grew up there and notes young people wish to raise families locally but lack options. Architectural Technologist Ryan Dougan reports only 10 to 12 houses built in Loup over 25 years. A proposal for 65 new houses stalled due to insufficient water capacity.

Dougan states low housing numbers reduce local school and GAA club attendance. In Cookstown, Jim Eastwood of Cookstown Enterprise Centre says a bakery cannot relocate to larger premises without a water connection.

Mid Ulster Council Chief Executive Adrian McCreesh called development barriers disappointing at a recent council meeting. He noted ratepayers cannot live in birth communities. NI Water presented to the council last month on severe restrictions affecting housing and business growth plus funding limits for upgrades.

The company invests in wastewater works at Dungannon, Ballygawley and Moyola. Infrastructure Minister announced a voluntary developer contribution scheme for upgrades last week.

Leslie Crozier filmed discoloured water, baby wipes and apparent human waste in Omagh's River Drumragh and River Strule. NI Water attributed Drumragh discolouration to upstream construction silt and urged caution on blockages. NI Water operates under special protections from severe pollution fines for nearly 20 years due to outdated infrastructure. Environment Minister Andrew Muir stated reforms may impose tougher punishments.