4 November 2004
WATER SERVICE TO INVEST £14 MILLION IN NORTH DOWN COUNCIL AREA
DRD Water Service today announced plans to start projects worth £14 million in the North Down area, over the next three years. This is in addition to the work under construction, detailed in the capital works programme which was presented to the Borough Council.
Bill Gowdy, Networks South East Manager, for Water Service, 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 the £9.6 million North Down Strategic Trunk Mains, which is currently out to tender. This important scheme will transfer water from the Aquarius trunk main to the area. The upgrading of Seahill wastewater treatment works will also ensure that discharges to Belfast Lough will comply with increasingly stringent EU standards."
Drainage Area Studies in Bangor and Seahill and ongoing minor sewer extensions and improvements will also result in improvements to the sewerage infrastructure.
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 during 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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