£5m sewage scheme ends

£5m sewage scheme ends

11 November 2015

WORK on a £5m scheme to improve Ballynahinch’s sewage treatment plant has been completed.

The Northern Ireland Water investment has doubled the plant’s treatment capacity allowing it to accommodate future development in the town.

Regional Development Minister Michelle McIlveen visited the Drumaness Road plant recently where she was joined by senior NI Water officials.

The multi-million pound upgrade included the total modernisation of the existing plant with the construction of a new inlet works, new storm storage facilities, sludge treatment facilities and an improved standard of treatment which will meet projected future Environment Agency standards.

Miss McIlveen said the major investment will modernise the wastewater infrastructure in the Ballynahinch area and brings “many environmental benefits” to local communities, whilst ensuring continued compliance with foreseeable European standards.

She added: “The upgraded wastewater treatment plant will facilitate local requirements to at least 2035 and has also delivered improvements to the water quality in the local Ballynahinch River.”

Dermott McCurdy, NI Water’s head of wastewater capital delivery, explained the new structures were constructed in phases within the existing site to ensure the treatment plant remained fully operational throughout the construction works. 

He continued: “The contractor for the upgrade work was BSG Civil Engineering, with McAdam Design providing technical and project management support.”

Mr McCurdy said the project team is grateful to Ballynahinch United Football Club and the local community for their co-operation and support throughout the construction period.