Water Service Invests Ł26.6 Million in Dungannon and South Tyrone Council Area

29 November 2004
WATER SERVICE INVESTS Ł26.6 MILLION IN DUNGANNON AND SOUTH TYRONE COUNCIL AREA
DRD Water Service, today, announced plans to start projects, worth Ł22 million, in the Dungannon and South Tyrone area, over the next three years. This is in addition to the Ł646,000, completed this year and the Ł4 million, under construction.

Charles Hamilton, from Water Service Customer Services, presented the details of the capital works programme to Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council.

Charles Hamilton 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 on site include improvements to Moygashel Wastewater Treatment Works and the replacement of the wastewater treatment works at Tamnamore and Fivemiletown. Nine other wastewater treatment works are scheduled for improvement or replacement in the next two years."

Watermain zonal studies will also lead 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.

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. An Integrated Impact Assessment of the Water Reform proposals, addressing matters such as equality and regulatory impacts, was published for consultation on Monday 29 November.

3. For media queries, contact DRD Press Office on 028 9054 0004.

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