13 January 2003
WATER SERVICE TO INVEST £3.9M IN MOYLE DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA
DRD Water Service need to make a substantial investment in Northern Ireland’s water and sewerage infrastructure to comply with European Directives and meet increasing customer demands.
The announcement came from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Angela Smith, MP, ahead of tonight’s Water Service meeting with Moyle District Council at which Northern Division’s Contract Services Manager, Mr Joe Millar, presented the Capital Works Programme for the next three years.
The Minister said: "As Minister with responsibility for Regional Development I have been struck by the magnitude of the investment deficit facing Northern Ireland’s water and sewerage services.
"Approximately £3 billion must be invested in these key services over the next 20 years to comply with increasingly rigorous European Directives on Water Quality, respond to increasing demand for water and sewerage services, safeguard public health and replace ageing infrastructure."
During the meeting with Moyle District Council, Joe Millar who was accompanied by Mr Frank Stewart Infrastructure Manager, outlined that schemes with a value of £1.46 million had commenced or were due to start within the current financial year.
Mr Millar said: "The programme includes a range of projects to improve water supply, upgrade the water distribution network and improve wastewater treatment works at various locations across the District.
Detailing specific projects Mr Stewart said: "£750,000 has been allocated for the replacement of old watermains which will enhance the quality of the water distributed to consumers. Some of the new mains are already in service within the district and others are progressing through the design and construction stages. "
"Progress has been made on flood alleviation through the upgrade of foul sewers and the provision of new surface water sewers to enable storm water separation. Several schemes have been completed including projects at Fairhead View, and Moyle Road, Ballycastle. Projects at Gortamaddy Park, Dunamallaght Road and Market Street are either currently being constructed or due to start soon."
An appraisal study of wastewater treatment works at Mosside, Ballintoy, Giants Causeway and Armoy, is also underway to identify upgrading required to meet future development needs and environmental standards.
Focusing on wastewater treatment, Mr Stewart confirmed a new sewerage scheme is now in service for the Coolnaguppaghe and Churchfield areas. Interim improvement works have been completed at Mosside wastewater treatment works to cater for current new development, and an upgrade and extension of the sewerage system is programmed for Magheramore and Capecastle.
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