Omagh area to get new wastewater treatment works

DRD Water Service’s £1.3 million scheme to provide a new wastewater treatment works at Fintona, due to start in the New Year, will form part of a £58 million capital works programme for the next five years.

DRD Water Service’s Western Divisional Manager, Alec McQuillan, presented the programme to Omagh District Council saying the scheme would significantly improve the wastewater treatment facilities and will meet future development needs in the Fintona area.

Mr McQuillan said: "Water Service is embarking on a major £505 million programme of water and sewerage infrastructure projects over the next three years throughout Northern Ireland.

"However sustained 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.

"The largest project in the Council area is the major upgrade to the Lough Macrory water treatment works at a cost of £13.5 million. The scheme, which is due to be completed by next summer will ensure that customers in the Omagh District Council area are served by four modern water treatment works, all of which have been upgraded to meet EC water quality requirements. These are Derg, Lough Braden, Glenhordial and very soon Lough Macrory."

Also ongoing in the area is an overall assessment of the complete water distribution network to bring forward a prioritised programme of further watermain upgrading schemes over the next few years.

(MB)