Water Service Invests Ł30 Million In Newtownabbey Council Area

7 February 2005
WATER SERVICE INVESTS Ł30 MILLION IN NEWTOWNABBEY COUNCIL AREA
DRD Water Service today announced plans to start projects worth

Ł20.5 million in the Newtownabbey area, over the next three years, in addition to the projects worth Ł9.5 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."

Charles Hamilton, from Water Service Customer Services, presented the details of the capital works programme to Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Mr Hamilton said: "Local projects include the Ballyclare Wastewater Treatment Works which will treat sewage from Ballyclare, Doagh, Cogry, Kilbride, Ballyrobert, Ballyeaston, Ballynure and Straid. The sewerage network in Ballyclare will also be upgraded as a result of a drainage area study. These works will ensure compliance with discharge standards to the Sixmilewater and cater for future development.

"Whitehouse Wastewater Treatment Works will also be upgraded and a watermain zonal study will lead to major watermain improvements that will strengthen the network in the area."
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