£80 million water mains project unveiled

Minister of State, John Spellar today announced the start of an £80 million Water Mains Project, to upgrade around 1,200 kilometres of water mains throughout Northern Ireland.

The Water Mains Project will start in the Ballymena and Craigavon areas during the summer, followed by a rolling programme of work across Northern Ireland over the next four years.

The Minister said: "This project represents the first stage of a significant investment programme over the next 15 years, aimed at improving the water distribution system. This investment will provide a modern water distribution network, which will meet the present and future needs of customers.

"This significant expenditure on Northern Ireland’s ageing water mains, many of which are over 40 years old, will ensure that the current high level of drinking water quality will be further improved and it will reduce the number of interruptions to water supplies and leakage from the distribution system."

The Minister said the level of investment was a visible sign of the Government’s commitment to improve water and sewerage services.

"Over the period to 2006, Water Service will invest around £590 million on 300 projects to upgrade water and sewerage services. This will deliver significant benefits to customers right across Northern Ireland," he said.

In addition, a major Public Private Partnership programme is being taken forward over the next five years, in conjunction with the Strategic Investment Board, totalling almost £270 million, to upgrade a large number of water and wastewater treatment works.

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