£8m sewage upgrade

£8m sewage upgrade

12 February 2025

AN £8m investment to upgrade a sewage treatment plant in Annsborough will ensure the facility meets the latest environmental consents.

Work on the plant located off Station Road  starts next month with the NI Water scheme also including upgrades to the wastewater network in Annsborough and Castlewellan.

Both locations have seen significant development since the existing treatment works was constructed in 2008.

NI Water says the multi-million pound investment will result in the replacement of various elements of the existing plant to allow it to operate effectively and meet current environmental discharge consents.

NI Water senior project manager, Sean Milligan, said the upgrade will be undertaken within the confines of the existing site and include civil construction activities as well as mechanical and electrical installations.  

“Work will be carried out in phases over two years, ensuring that the treatment works remains operational,” he explained.

“In advance of the main construction work starting in March, NI Water’s appointed contractor, BSG, will undertake some preliminary activities to facilitate the upgrade.”

Mr Milligan said that in agreement with the relevant landowner and to facilitate construction traffic, BSG will widen a short section of the path adjacent to the treatment works site through Corry Wood Trail. 

A dedicated path will be created for pedestrians and cyclists to use for the duration of the contract.

“As we embark on the site set up and subsequent construction work we would ask the public to be mindful of the possibility of construction traffic being in the Station Road and Corry Wood Trail area from mid-February onwards,” he said.

Mr Milligan said that as part of NI Water’s significant investment into the wastewater network in the Annsborough and Castlewellan areas, BSG will carry out improvements to sections of the sewerage system – including the installation of dedicated storm sewers. 

“This work will be targeted in areas where CCTV investigations have shown a high level of infiltration of surface water and misconnections,” he confirmed.

“The improvements to the network are expected to get underway this spring and will require traffic management in certain areas.”

Mr Milligan saId NI Water’s project team will notify residents, businesses and the wider public once the work has been fully programmed and the necessary traffic management arrangements have been approved.

He added: “This investment forms the first step to increasing the capacity within the local wastewater network. A final phase of work, to provide the necessary stormwater storage that will help facilitate growth in the area, is planned for the future, subject to funding and approvals.”

News of the £8m investment has been welcomed by South Down MP Chris Hazzard, Cathy Mason MLA and Slieve Croob councillor Roísín Howell.

Mr Hazzard said the much-needed investment will greatly improve wastewater treatment across Annsborough and Castlewellan area, with the inclusion of dedicated stormwater drainage viewed as a great relief to locals and businesses alike.

Mrs Mason said part of the £8m investment will result in new sewer installations to provide dedicated stormwater drainage as well as repair works on parts of the existing sewerage system in Annsborough and Castlewellan.

“Work will be phased over two years with the treatment works remaining operational at all times,” she added.

Cllr Howell said Sinn Féin will continue to work with NI Water to ensure the various upgrades are delivered with as little disturbance as possible.