Water Service Invests Ł15 Million In Ballymena Council Area

7 February 2005
WATER SERVICE INVESTS Ł15 MILLION IN BALLYMENA COUNCIL AREA
DRD Water Service today announced plans to start projects worth Ł8.5 million in the Ballymena area, over the next three years, in addition to the Ł6.5 million currently under construction.

John Spellar, MP, Minister with responsibility for the Department for Regional Development, 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 Ł735 million, to invest in water and sewerage services up to 2008, throughout Northern Ireland. The introduction of water charges next year will ensure that the investment required, can be sustained without taking money from other priority services."

William Duddy, Director of Customer Services for Water Service, presented the details of the capital works programme to Ballymena Borough Council.

Mr Duddy said: "Local projects include the construction of a pumping station to transfer sewage from Ballymacvea to Tullygarley Wastewater Treatment Works and upgrades to wastewater treatment works at Grange, Martinstown and Cargan. These works will improve discharge standards from wastewater treatment works and cater for future development. In addition, drainage area studies will result in a planned programme of sewer improvements in the area.

Watermain zonal studies have led to major watermain improvements that will strengthen the network in the area in Ballymena North and Glarryford, and other areas will follow."
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