Water Service Invests Ł65 Million in Down Council Area

1 November 2004
WATER SERVICE INVESTS Ł65 MILLION IN DOWN COUNCIL AREA
DRD Water Service today announced plans to start projects worth Ł16 million in the Down area, over the next three years. This is in addition to the Ł49 million already under construction, detailed in the capital works programme, which was presented to the District Council.

Director of Customer Services, William Duddy, said: "Investment of Ł3 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 Ł590 million to invest in water and sewerage services up to 2006, throughout Northern Ireland.

"Local projects include the Ł23.8 million Silent Valley Water Treatment Works, located at Drumaroad, which is currently being commissioned and the Ł16.5 million Fofanny Water Treatment Works which will be completed next year. These important schemes will meet European standards for drinking water. In addition, existing minor watermain extensions and renewals are progressing through design and construction stages."

Mr Duddy also detailed a major programme of Wastewater Treatment Works Improvements and replacements including Downpatrick and Drumaness, both currently under construction. These will ensure that discharges comply with increasingly stringent EU standards and cater for development in the area. There are also a number of Drainage Area Studies being undertaken, which will lead to an improved sewerage system.

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:

Details of the proposals for domestic and non-domestic charges for water and sewerage services can be found on www.waterreformni.gov.uk

For media queries, contact Anne McGivern at the DRD Press Office on 028 9054 0004.

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