26 February 2002
MAJOR INVESTMENT IN WATER AND SEWERAGE PROJECTS IN COLERAINE
DRD Water Service is planning a major investment in water and sewerage projects, in the Coleraine area, over the next three years.
Details of the investment were outlined by the Divisional Manager for Northern Division, William Duddy and Networks Manager, Joe Little, as they presented the Capital Works Programme to a meeting of Coleraine Borough Council on Tuesday night.
Mr Duddy told Councillors that work had already started on a number of schemes designed to improve water supply, upgrade the sewerage infrastructure and alleviate flooding across the District.
He said: "A number of schemes are in hand to upgrade the water distribution system including works at Ballystrone Road, Gortycavan Road, Lisasadell Avenue and Newmills Road/ Ballyrashane Road".
Referring to a range of sewerage schemes, Mr Duddy highlighted the recent announcement by Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson, which accompanied the planning application for the new North Coast Wastewater Treatment Works. Designed to treat wastewater from Articlave, Castlerock,
Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush, at a cost of £36 million, this major scheme will ensure future treatment in accordance with EU standards and will mean sustained compliance with Blue Flag status for the beaches along the North Coast.
An advance programme of sewerage improvements associated with the North Coast scheme is currently underway in Portstewart and Castlerock to upgrade a number of sewerage pumping stations and reinforce the existing sewer network.
In addition, Water Service is investing about £500,000 across a range of wastewater improvement schemes due to commence in the Coleraine area early next year. These include improvements to waste water treatment works at Kilrea and Boleran Road, Garvagh and first time sewer facilities at Ringrash Road, as well as schemes to alleviate flooding on the Moneygran Road, Kilrea and Sea Road, Castlerock.
Looking ahead to the programme for the next two years, Mr Duddy pointed to the completion of appraisal studies for the Ballinrees to Glenlough trunk main, which is expected to cost £1.9 million and Coleraine Town Sewer Improvements at a cost of £1.5 million.
He also highlighted the strategic planning being undertaken by Water Service to ensure future compliance with drinking water and environmental standards.
"Consultancy studies are underway on the distribution system for Coleraine and also Ballinrees to assess performance and recommend future improvements. An appraisal study of the wastewater treatment works at Macosquin is also progressing to identify upgrading required to meet future development needs and environmental standards," he said.
However, Mr Duddy pointed to a review of the Water Service Capital Investment Plan that is currently underway.
He said: "The funds available to Water Service can provide many improvements to water and sewerage facilities. However, the available funding is far below what is required to fully upgrade water and sewerage 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 those projects which merit highest priority and which support the effective development of Northern Ireland."
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