15 November 2004
WATER SERVICE INVESTS £25 MILLION IN CRAIGAVON COUNCIL AREA
DRD Water Service today announced plans to start projects worth £6 million in the Craigavon area, over the next three years. This is in addition to the £3 million completed this year and the £16 million under construction.
Sidney McKee, Water Supply Manager, Charles Hamilton, Customer Services, and Joe McLernon, from Development in Water Service, presented the details of the capital works programme to Craigavon Borough Council.
Charles Hamilton 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 £2.9 million upgrading of Castor Bay Water Treatment Works and further upgrading of this scheme as part of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. Wastewater treatment facilities in the area are also being upgraded. Waringstown Wastewater Treatment Works was recently completed and upgrading of the Magheralin Wastewater Treatment Works is also in the capital works programme. Ballynacor, Bullay’s Hill and Seagoe Treatment Works will progress under the PPP programme."
Watermain zonal studies have also led to major watermain improvements that will strengthen the network in the area. In addition, Drainage Area Studies will lead to a planned programme of sewer network improvements throughout the borough.
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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