To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the capital-based element of the new system of domestic water bills will vary according to the location of the property irrespective of the cost of providing water. (104131)

The unmeasured domestic water and sewerage charges to be introduced in Northern Ireland from 1 April 2007 will be made up of a standing charge and a variable element calculated on the basis of the property capital value as follows:

Water Charge=(Water Standing Charge)+(Water capital value Rate)x(Property Capital Value)

Sewerage Charge=(Sewerage Standing Charge)+(Sewerage capital value Rate)x(Property Capital Value)

The water capital value rate and the sewerage capital value rate will each be a single set rate for all unmeasured domestic customers in Northern Ireland. The level of the variable element of the charges will depend only on the property capital value. Setting a single rate for unmeasured charges irrespective of location is similar to setting volumetric charges for water and sewerage which do not vary according to the location of the property.