Start date for sewage plant

Start date for sewage plant

14 March 2013

WORK on a £2.5m upgrade of the main sewage treatment plant in Ardglass is to begin shortly.

Northern Ireland Water has confirmed that contractors will be on site at the Sheepland Road outside the village in mid-April.

The much-needed scheme is ready to proceed following the successful outcome of negotiations with landowners. Ahead of work getting underway, NI Water is organising a special briefing for local politicians on exactly what the proposed upgrade will involve.

Confirmation that work is due to start has been welcomed by local councillors Dermot Curran and Cadogan Enright.

Councillor Curran said the proposed upgrade was scheduled to start a number of years ago but was delayed for a number of reasons.

“We have at last reached the stage where contractors are ready to start what is a much-needed upgrade which will ensure the plant meets rigorous EU discharge standards,” he said.

“The upgraded plant will also allow the future development of Ardglass by ensuring there is adequate sewage capacity at the plant.”

Councillor Enright suggested delays in starting work on the treatment plant upgrade have damaged tourism in Ardglass and left waters off Ballyhornan in what he described as a “deplorable state.”

He said effluent is discharged from the Sheepland Road plant and from an outfall pipe which services homes at the former Ministry of Defence base in Ballyhornan which contravenes EU law. Councillor Enright said what’s most concerning about the discharges is they enter into a recognised marine reserve.

He added: “The upgrade of the Sheepland Road plant is vital for the future development of Ardglass. It is also important that once the upgrade has been completed, the plant will deal with sewage generated in the Ballyhornan and Chapeltown areas.

“Piping sewage from these locations to Ardglass must be included in the NI Water scheme and I will be raising this issue with its officials. Upgrading the Ardglass treatment plant provides an opportunity to clean up our water from Coney Island all the way up to Killard Point.”