Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins visited L'Derry to officially launch "Living With Water in Derry/Londonderry," a comprehensive integrated plan designed to transform the city's drainage and wastewater management.

The plan follows an extensive public consultation period and establishes a long-term framework to bolster flood protection, improve environmental standards, and facilitate the city's continued economic development. By combining traditional engineered upgrades with "green" natural solutions—such as using urban green spaces to manage surface water—the strategy aims to create a more resilient infrastructure for the North West.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Kimmins highlighted the necessity of a coordinated approach: "We all 'live with water' so it is in our interests to identify and deliver the best solutions for our homes, businesses and communities. The Living With Water in Derry Plan provides a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy for managing drainage and wastewater across Derry City and its surrounding areas. "It aims to ensure the city's drainage infrastructure is resilient, sustainable and able to support future growth through a coordinated approach that combines essential engineered upgrades with natural solutions, such as using green spaces to help slow and store surface water."

The initiative is a partnership between the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and various local stakeholders. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Ruairí McHugh, welcomed the plan as a vital tool for the region's future: "This is an important step forward in addressing the infrastructure challenges that are impacting on the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. I look forward to working collaboratively with DfI and other Living With Water partners, to deliver solutions that not only meet current needs but also support future growth and sustainability for our communities."

The plan focuses on several critical areas of improvement across the catchment, including:

• Flood Alleviation: Investment in specific river flood protection schemes.

• Wastewater Treatment: Major upgrades to existing treatment works.

• Network Improvements: Enhancements to the city's ageing sewerage network.

• Sustainable Drainage: Implementation of natural flood management solutions to slow water flow.

Under the framework, once specific projects are finalised, the partner organisations involved will be tasked with securing the necessary funding through their own annual budgets to ensure the work is delivered efficiently for local residents.