WORK to stop raw sewage being pumped into the Irish Sea at Ballyhornan is scheduled to start within weeks.
Northern Ireland Water plans to upgrade Ballyhornan’s ageing sewerage system with the work due to get underway by the middle of March.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has been informed that funding for the project has been secured and a contractor has been appointed.
Negotiations to secure the land NI Water requires are continuing, with the talks also
focusing on the reinstatement of an existing right of way at Killard Road where a new screening facility will be constructed.
Miss Ritchie said Power NI has also been contacted about providing an electricity supply to the Killard Road site.
“It’s my understanding that construction work will commence immediately after land acquisition and transfer negotiations have been secured,” she said.
“It’s hoped construction can commence in mid–March and I will continue to make representations to NI Water on this much-needed project.”
NI Water has been under intense pressure to stop raw sewage being pumped into the Irish Sea and was warned by the Environment Agency that it has until the end of March to prevent this from happening.
Homes at the former Ministry of Defence base are connected to a sewage system which pumps waste water directly into the sea off the local coastline, in contravention of strict discharge standards.
The construction of the screening facility at the Killard Road will filter waste water before it enters the sea.
This site has also been earmarked for the construction of a new pumping station to pump raw sewage to Ardglass for treatment.
As part of the scheme, a pumping station located close to Ballyhornan beach is to be upgraded to re-route waste water to the new screening facility. A number of existing sewers in the area will also be diverted to the screening facility.