ALMOST 1,000 water meters have been installed since a pledge to end the practice three months ago.
Regional development minister Danny Kennedy's vow to change the law came after The Irish News revealed that 35,000 meters have been installed in new homes across the north since 2007, at a cost of £13 million.
Legislation requires NI Water to install meters at all new properties connected to the public supply.
However, Stormont has ruled out introducing water charges for domestic customers during the present assembly term, which ends next year.
Mr Kennedy, pictured said in November last year that "it is my intention to amend the existing legislation on this issue through the forthcoming water bill".
It has emerged that £43,500 of public money has been spent installing almost 1,000 meters since then.
TaxPayers' Alliance chief executive Jonathan Isaby last night criticised the practice.
"Regardless of whether water charging becomes a fact of life in the future, installing expensive meters at great cost before we've reached that point is a ludicrous waste of money," he said.
"The authorities need to find a way to either slow down the installation process or speed up the new legislation."
The introduction of water charges in the Republic has brought tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets.
There has also been strong opposition to the possibility of charges in the north.
Last year some boundary boxes, which hold the meters, were damaged after they were filled with cement in west Belfast.
Contractors involved in installing NI Water equipment were also ordered out of parts of north and west Belfast last year by paramilitary group Óglaigh na hÉireann.
A spokesman for NI Water said it is "legally required to continue with the installation of meters at all new-build domestic properties".
"The meters installed at domestic properties are not being read or used for charging in any form, nor are there any plans to do so," he said.
A spokesman for Mr Kennedy also said NI Water is bound by legislation.
"The minister proposes to end this obligation on NI Water for domestic properties and will include a power to amend Article 81 in new legislation currently being developed. In advance of the legislation reaching the statute book NI Water remains bound by the existing law," he said.
"The executive has given a commitment that for householders it will ensure no additional water charges during this programme for government.
"As a result the department pays a subsidy to Northern Ireland Water in lieu of domestic consumers' contributions."