Plans to reform the Water Service have proved controversial

The demonstrations against the government plans took place in Belfast, Enniskillen and Londonderry.

Campaigners in Belfast were joined by trade union members, politicians and members of the public.

Organisers said the marches were being held to send a message to the government that people were united in their opposition to charges.

Ulster Unionist assembly member Fred Cobain said people should not be asked to pay to replace the water infrastructure.

"Ministers are effectively asking householders to pay the price for an historic lack of investment", he said.

Reforms announced last August would see the Water Service become a Government Owned Company, or GoCo, in 2006 and be almost completely self funding by 2008.

Mr Cobain, an assembly member for North Belfast, said direct rule ministers wanted to base water charges on the capital value of homes.

"This unjust and inequitable system will wrongly penalise those in society who have worked hard to provide a good home for themselves and their families," he said.

Jobs lost

"I call on the government to abandon their current water charge proposals and go back to the drawing board."

On Wednesday, Water Service workers staged a one-day strike over proposals to reform the service.

Members of the four unions voted for industrial action, saying attempts to engage the government in negotiations had failed.

Plans for the government company to take over from the existing Water Service could see up to 700 jobs lost.