NI Water has commenced a £300,000 programme of sewer improvement work in Castlederg to enhance the local sewerage infrastructure and reduce the risk of out of sewer flooding in the area.
The sewer improvements, which will be mainly undertaken using trenchless techniques to minimise disruption, got underway on the 11th of February on High Street and will be extended to various areas of the town over a period of approximately 11 weeks. Work at most locations should take no longer than 1-2 days to complete.
NI Water’s Robert McLean, Senior Project Manager explained: “This essential work will involve the repair of existing sewers using underground trenchless techniques where possible. This innovative approach will significantly reduce the duration of the works and disruption to the public. Where this method of repair is not possible, due to the condition of the sewer, ‘open-dig’ repairs will be carried out. The programme of sewer repairs for the Castlederg area will also involve some work on private lands.
“NI Water through our project team, GEDA Construction and AECOM, will liaise with any residents, businesses and landowners directly affected by these works. We appreciate that work of this nature can be disruptive and we will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum.
“We would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation as we complete this essential work. Local communities will benefit from these sewer improvements and reduced flood risk for many years to come.”
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon added: “I am pleased to see this investment which will deliver upgraded sewerage infrastructure for people living and working in the Castlederg area.
“Continued investment in the water and wastewater services throughout Northern Ireland is essential to improving this critical infrastructure which has become even more vital recently in protecting public health.”
NI Water manages a network of 15,600km of sewers on a daily basis and they have spent billions investing in their water and wastewater infrastructure. However, no amount of investment will completely stop blocked pipes or inappropriate items polluting our environment. Items such as baby wipes and sanitary products are often the cause of out of sewer flooding, which can easily be avoided by only flushing the 3Ps, pee, poo and toilet paper; everything else needs to go in the bin.
The sewer improvement work throughout Castlederg is an excellent example of what can be done when the necessary funding is in place.
NI Water welcomes the confirmation by the Executive that capital funding for year 1 of their business plan has been secured. They see this positive funding position at the outset of the six year programme as a statement of intent and look forward to the necessary funding being put in place across the six year period to 2027.
