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11 March 2003

WATER SERVICE TO INVEST £16 M IN MAGHERAFELT DISTRICT COUNCIL AREA

Options for the most radical reform in decades of Northern Ireland’s water and sewerage services were unveiled today by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Angela Smith, MP.

The announcement came from Angela Smith, 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.

"With the assistance of the new Strategic Investment Board, we will embark on a major programme of water and sewerage projects over the next three years. This is essential as we work towards full compliance with EU standards, a task which will take several years.

"However, we need to find a sustainable and long-term funding solution for water and sewerage services. This is why we have taken the decision to move these services on to a self-financing basis."

The Minister explained that self-financing arrangements would require the introduction of domestic water and sewerage charges for Northern Ireland households. To ensure they are fair and affordable, reform of the current arrangements for the delivery of these services was essential.Public consultation on the reform options will run until 20 June and the Minister underlined the importance of as many people as possible putting forward their views.

She said: "The reform programme will consider the most appropriate basis for charging for water and sewerage services, the most effective business model for delivering these services and how best to promote the customer interest and protect the environment under the new charging regime."

During the meeting with Magherafelt District Council, Joe Millar who was accompanied by Mr Frank Stewart Infrastructure Manager, outlined that schemes with a value of £2.6 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: "£1.3 million has been allocated for the replacement of watermains. Schemes are planned to replace and upgrade the watermains at Cahore Road Draperstown and at Tobermore, Maghera, and Tamlaght O’Crilly in association with NIHE.

"The proposed £10 million upgrade of Moyola Water Treatment Works is scheduled to start in the summer of this year and progress has been made on £60,000 flood alleviation schemes by upgrading foul sewers and providing new surface water sewers."

Projects at Knockloughrim and Loughinsholin Park Castledawson are either currently under construction or due to start and a surface water separation scheme at William Street Bellaghy is now in service.

Schemes worth £2million are planned at wastewater treatment sites across the District and improvements have been carried out at Maghera, Gulladuff, and Swatragh Waste Water Treatment. Tenders are currently being appraised for Portglenone Waste Water Treatment Works, which will permit the rationalisation of existing works at Clady, Innisrush and Glenone.

Work is also progressing on appraisal studies of wastewater treatment works at Magherafelt, Maghera, Swatragh, Draperstown, Gulladuff Straw and Tobermore to identify the upgrading required to meet future development needs and environmental standards.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The consultation paper, The Reform of Water and Sewerage Services in Northern Ireland" was launched by Angela Smith MP on 11 March 2003. The consultation period ends on 20 June 2003.

  2. A leaflet summarising the reform options will be issued to all households across Northern Ireland in early April 2003.

  3. Copies of the consultation paper can be obtained from:

    4. Water Reform Unit
    Department for Regional Development
    Room G.18
    Clarence Court
    10-18 Adelaide Street
    BELFAST BT2 8GB
    Tel: 028 9054 0608
    Fax: 028 9054 0822
    E-mail:     queries@waterreformni.gov.uk

  4. Further information on the Water Reform can be obtained from the Water Reform web site: www.waterreformni.gov.uk

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