Welcome for wastewater works
Thursday, 13 November 2008
NORTHERN Ireland Water (NI Water) has announced a £6 million investment programme in Limavady to improve water and wastewater services in the area.
The investment, announced at Limavady Borough Council's planning committee meeting last Thursday night, relates to a number of schemes that are already underway or planned to commence within this financial year.
The investment programme will bring significant benefits to the local community and economy and meet the needs of the growing population and tourism industry. The work includes the upgrade of Limavady Wastewater Treatment Works, Watermains rehabilitation and the upgrade of the existing foul sewer at Main Street, Ballykelly.
Chris Mellor, NI Water's Chairman and Chief Executive commented on the investment in Limavady: "NI Water's main concern is updating the water system and providing a quality water and wastewater system. This level of investment in Limavady is part of our commitment to bring water and wastewater services in Northern Ireland up to the highest possible standard both in terms of quality and cost. Our focus is very much on safeguarding public health and the environment and enhancing customer services.
“I am confident that over the next few years this investment will bring tremendous sustainable benefits to households, local industry, businesses and tourism. The more public support we have, the easier our job is and that's why we're working hard to help people understand just what is involved in providing these vital services."
Speaking about the investment package during Thursday's meeting, Paul Davison, Project Sponsor for the works continued: "NI Water has earmarked a number of projects to begin within the next year to improve services provided to customers in the Limavady area.
"There is an urgent need to address the issues arising from the legacy of under-investment to enable us to match or exceed performance levels of similar UK water companies by 2015. For a number of reasons, money that should have been spent on water and sewerage down the years was not. NI Water is now addressing this issue in a fundamental way that will produce real benefits for our customers in the future."
Councillor Edwin Stevenson welcomed the announcement, adding: "I am delighted that NI Water intend to upgrade the Limavady Wastewater Treatment Works. Local businesses and residents, as well as frequent users of the bypass, have long suffered the unpleasant smell which has hung in the area and it would be my hope that the work will be finished as soon as possible. Anything which improves the wastewater works in the town is to be welcomed."
Councillor Michael Carten also welcomed the news, and in particular the upgrade of the foul sewer in Ballykelly. He said: "The residents of Ballykelly have been waiting on this a long time and I am delighted that NI Water will address this problem. Anything which improves the village is to be welcomed and I would like to say thank you to NI Water for their help in this matter. It would be my hope that work will begin in the near future."
The investment programme in Limavady is a prime example of the type of investment required to improve the water and sewerage infrastructure throughout Northern Ireland. By 2010, NI Water will have invested £492 million in wastewater treatment and collection systems and £174 million in water treatment and storage systems.
