£14m To Improve Water Infrastructure

An investment package of £14m is to be spent on improving the security of the water supply infrastructure, it has been announced.

The works will be carried out on the Castor Bay to Belfast Water Trunk Main and will involve laying 29km of water pipeline from the Castor Bay Water Treatment Works to south Lisburn. The pipeline will then link into an existing trunk main to transport the water supply into Belfast.

The scheme will provide a vital source of water coming into Belfast, which will be especially important during future winters and in supplementing increased demand in the area.

In addition to the above, the project will also involve improving the water infrastructure around the pipeline route, including upgrading the existing Castor Bay Water Pumping Station (Craigavon); a new water pumping station at Sprucefield and a new water pumping station at St. Andrews Service Reservoir (Temple).

Making the announcement, Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy said: "This major investment is good news for customers. It will improve the security of the water supply infrastructure in Belfast and Lisburn. It will also provide a welcome boost to the construction sector, with the contract for the work being won by local firm, Lagan Construction.

"The scheme will also improve drinking water quality, reduce leakage and ensure that NI Water complies with EU directives."

Sara Venning interim Chief Executive, NI Water added: "We at NI Water are pleased to announce this important project for the security of the water supply, and, along with our project delivery team of Lagan Construction and Capita will work with the public to ensure that this work is carried out with minimum disruption."

Work on the project is due to begin next month and will continue until summer 2015.

(JP/MH)