8 February 2005
£4 MILLION WATER MAINS PROJECT STARTS IN SOUTH BELFAST
The £80 million Water Mains Project, to upgrade water mains throughout Northern Ireland, announced by Regional Development Minister, John Spellar, MP, last year, has commenced in South Belfast.
Work has started in both the Newtownbreda and Lisburn Road areas and will continue for the next nine months in various parts of South Belfast. Areas affected will include: Stranmillis, Lisburn Road, Malone, Ormeau, Rosetta, University area and Cregagh.
The Minister 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, in the Budget announced in December 2004, around £735 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."
John Close, Project Sponsor for Water Service, said: "The scheme involves upgrading approximately 30km of pipework, at a cost of £4 million, throughout South Belfast. This investment will provide a modern water distribution network, which will meet the present and future needs of customers.
"This significant investment will ensure that the current high level of drinking water quality will be further improved and it will reduce the number of interruptions to water supplies and leakage from the distribution system.
"The scale of the Water Mains Project will present Water Service and its contractors with significant logistical challenges, and local communities will be kept fully informed of the progress of work in their areas. Water Service is committed to minimising disruption through the use of trenchless technology, which allows mains to be laid without digging up long lengths of road."
Work will be carried out by the contractor, Enterprise-Farrans JV, and managed by the engineering consultant, WS Atkins, working with Water Service. Staff will be available to respond to specific queries and provide general information about the works. For further details of the Water Mains Project, the public can also contact Waterline on 08457 440088.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Trenchless or ‘Low Dig’ technology is faster than traditional methods and will lead to less disruption, as it reduces the need for the excavation of long lengths of trench.
- For further media queries contact Anne McGivern, DRD Press Office, 028 9054 0004.
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