Water Service unveils £28.7m Derry project

The Water Service has announced plans to start projects worth £28.7 million in the Derry City Council area over the next two years.

In addition to the £25.1 million currently under construction, Regional Development Minister Shaun Woodward said significant investment was required to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure in Northern Ireland "to protect public health, ensure cleaner beaches, safeguard the environment and respond to increasing demand".

"Some £1.1 billion has already been made available to upgrade the water and sewerage infrastructure in the five-year period to 2007/08 making major inroads into improving the service," the Minister said. "However we need Water Reform to be able to continue to make the investment needed. Water and sewerage charges will allow this sustained investment without taking money from other priority services."

William Duddy, Director of Customer Services, presenting the details of the Capital Works programme to Derry City Council, said: "Local projects, currently under construction, include the £17.8 million Culmore Wastewater Treatment Works and the £1.3 million Gortgare Wastewater Treatment Works. These important schemes will ensure that discharges from these works will comply with European standards.

"Water Service has also started work on the Cityside Watermain Improvement Scheme at an estimated cost of £5 million."

Other work which is due to start in 2006 includes the £4.5 million Pennyburn Sewerage Pumping Station, the £1.5 million Carrowclare Wastewater Treatment Works and £4.5 million Carmoney Water Treatment Works. At the feasibility stage are the Donnybrewer Wastewater Treatment Works at an estimated £1.3 million and the Claudy Wastewater Treatment Works at an estimated £3 million.

At the design stage are the £5 million Waterside Watermain Improvement Scheme, the £3.5 million Derry City Sewerage Network Improvement Scheme and the Carmoney East Watermain Improvement Scheme at an estimated cost of £32.5 million.

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