Spellar Welcomes Report On Waste Water Discharges

20 December 2004
SPELLAR WELCOMES REPORT ON WASTE WATER DISCHARGES

Minister of State, John Spellar, MP, has welcomed the improvement in compliance on discharges from Water Service waste water facilities, through increased investment in the water and sewerage infrastructure, highlighted in the recently published report by the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS).

The Minister said: "The report by EHS shows that compliance with discharge standards has improved consistently from 58% in 2001 to 69% in 2002 and 70% in 2003. Compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations also increased, from 35% in 2001 to 60% in 2003. These improvements are in line with our target of reaching a compliance rate of 80% by 2005. However, I fully acknowledge that while we are moving in the right direction, compliance in Northern Ireland continues to lag behind the rest of the UK and the recent progress must be maintained."

He added: "Water and sewerage investment has been given highest priority within the Department for Regional Development’s budget, supported by Strategic Investment Programme funding. Sustained funding has been made available to support the earliest practicable delivery of waste water treatment works compliance following a prolonged period of under investment.

"Over the next three years, Ł400 million will be invested to upgrade waste water treatment works and sewerage networks. In addition, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme, currently estimated at Ł130 million, is being taken forward at the earliest opportunity to deliver a number of waste water treatment projects.

"The introduction of water charges and the reform of current arrangements for delivering Northern Ireland’s water and sewerage services will ensure that Water Service can continue to deliver these higher levels of investment in the longer term, and improve further its compliance with the regulatory standards."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For media queries please contact Anne McGivern , DRD Information Office: Tel 028 9054 0004.

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