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28 October 2004

WATER SERVICE INVESTS £22 MILLION IN NEWRY AND MOURNE COUNCIL AREA

DRD Water Service today announced plans to start projects worth £15 million in the Newry and Mourne area, over the next three years. This is in addition to schemes worth £7 million already under construction, as detailed in the capital works programme, which was presented to the District Council.

Water Supply Operations Manager, Robert Allen, said: "Investment of £3 billion over the next 20 years is required to protect public health, meet European standards on water quality, respond to increasing demand, and upgrade infrastructure.

"This investment programme is already underway and the Government has allocated around £590 million to invest in water and sewerage services up to 2006, throughout Northern Ireland.

"Local projects include a £500,000 wastewater treatment works at Lislea, which is currently under construction, a £750,000 wastewater treatment works at Glassdrumman, which is currently out to tender and a number of other replacement wastewater treatment works which are currently at the feasibility stage. These schemes will ensure that the quality of discharges from treatment works in the area will meet European regulations and can facilitate development in the area."

Mr Allen also detailed the award of the contract for Carran Hill Water Treatment Works. This £9.6million contract, along with a continuing programme of watermain replacements and extensions, illustrates Water Service’s commitment to improving the water infrastructure of the area.

The Minister, John Spellar, MP, recently announced proposals for domestic charges for water and sewerage services, including protection for low income households and changes to the current non-domestic charging arrangements. These reforms, including the commencement of phasing in of the new charges, are to be implemented from 2006/7, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

An Integrated Impact Assessment of the Water Reform proposals, addressing matters such as equality and regulatory impacts, will be published for consultation in the autumn.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Details of the proposals for domestic and non-domestic charges for water and sewerage services can be found on www.waterreformni.gov.uk.
  2. For media queries, contact Anne McGivern at the DRD Press Office on 028 9054 0004.

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