5 November 2001

MAJOR INVESTMENT IN WATER AND SEWERAGE PROJECTS IN BANBRIDGE

DRD Water Service is planning to invest over £11.5 million on water and sewerage projects in the Banbridge area over the next three years.

Details of the investment were outlined by David Dodds, Principal Engineer for Southern Division, as he presented the Autumn Capital Works Programme to a meeting of Banbridge District Council today.

Mr Dodds told Councillors that a substantial number of schemes had already been completed and that design work was progressing on a number of important projects.

He said: "Water Service has already begun work on the new £7.3 million Waste Water Treatment Works at Huntly Road Banbridge, while the associated Downshire Road Pumping Station is already operational."

Mr Dodds said that several other Waste Water Treatment Works within the area such as Kinallen, Seapatrick and Scarva, were also programmed to be replaced or upgraded within the next two years.

Referring to watermain replacement work he said: "Water Service has completed the replacement of watermains in Newry Street in advance of the Council’s Environmental Improvement Scheme, with similar work due to start at Bridge Street within the next few weeks."

Work is scheduled to start on major improvements to Castor Bay & Foffany Water Treatment Works, which supply water to the Banbridge area, within the next two years. The projects will cost approximately £27 million and will improve the quality of water to the area.

Further projects valued at over £11.5 million are also currently under consideration by Water Service. These include a series of studies to examine drinking water distribution systems.

However, Mr Dodds pointed to a review of Water Service’s capital investment plan, which is currently underway.

He said: "The funds available to Water Service are substantial and can provide many improvements to water and sewerage facilities. However, the available funding is far below what is required to fully upgrade water and sewage treatment works and the watermain and sewerage networks.

"A review of annual investment plans is being carried out to ensure that the available funding is allocated to these projects which merit highest priority and which support the effective development of Northern Ireland.

"Deferment of projects is possible and significant changes to the timing of individual projects will be conveyed through normal consultative channels between Water Service and District Councils."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Mr Ivan Jackson, Networks Manager for Southern Division, accompanied Mr Dodds to the meeting.