Thousands of low income households are set to benefit from a new water and sewerage charge reduction scheme to help keep their water bills down.
Some households which currently receive council tax benefit will see up to 25% cut from their water bills.
The new permanent scheme comes into force on 1 April and replaces similar temporary arrangements.
The deputy environment minister said reduced charges would help ensure water services were "affordable to all".
Rhona Brankin said: "In February last year ministers announced proposals to introduce a new permanent water charges reduction scheme.
"I now am delighted to announce that thousands of additional households in receipt of council tax benefit will benefit from reduced charges from the beginning of April this year."
The scheme will be similar to the single person households discount.
The cost of the new scheme will be met through the abolition of water and sewerage charges discounts for second homes and other empty dwellings.
(BBC)
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