Menu
30/11/2005
Hain opens NI's largest water treatment works
Secretary of State Peter Hain has officially opened a new £20 million state-of-the-art water treatment works at Drumaroad in Co Down.
The plant treats water from the Silent Valley reservoir and is the largest of its type in Northern Ireland.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Hain said: “The construction of this Works represents the final stage of the £62 million Aquarius Water Project to upgrade the Mourne water supply. It will ensure compliance with the demanding EU drinking water quality standards and will safeguard the water supply to around 300,000 customers in large parts of County Down and Belfast.
“This major Works is an important element of a £1.1 billion investment programme to upgrade the water and sewerage infrastructure across Northern Ireland in the five-year period to 2007/08. At present new treatment works are being completed at an average rate of three every fortnight, but this has a price tag which we will only be able to sustain if we raise more resources locally to help pay for that investment."
Following the opening, the Secretary of State then visited the Peace Maze at Castlewellan Forest Park. Based on the concept of commemoration of peace and reconciliation, the Peace Maze is an important tourist attraction, attracting almost 500,000 visitors since it opened in 2001.
The Peace Maze project cost £570,000, 75% of which was funded by the European Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties, the remainder by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Down District Council.
(MB/SP)
The plant treats water from the Silent Valley reservoir and is the largest of its type in Northern Ireland.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Hain said: “The construction of this Works represents the final stage of the £62 million Aquarius Water Project to upgrade the Mourne water supply. It will ensure compliance with the demanding EU drinking water quality standards and will safeguard the water supply to around 300,000 customers in large parts of County Down and Belfast.
“This major Works is an important element of a £1.1 billion investment programme to upgrade the water and sewerage infrastructure across Northern Ireland in the five-year period to 2007/08. At present new treatment works are being completed at an average rate of three every fortnight, but this has a price tag which we will only be able to sustain if we raise more resources locally to help pay for that investment."
Following the opening, the Secretary of State then visited the Peace Maze at Castlewellan Forest Park. Based on the concept of commemoration of peace and reconciliation, the Peace Maze is an important tourist attraction, attracting almost 500,000 visitors since it opened in 2001.
The Peace Maze project cost £570,000, 75% of which was funded by the European Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties, the remainder by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Down District Council.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 August 2002
Work begins on £20m Mourne water treatment works
Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson has helped to lay the foundations of the new £20 million Mourne Water Treatment Works at Drumaroad, near Castlewellan. It will be the largest Water Treatment Works to be constructed in Northern Ireland and will treat 155 million litres of water per day, supplied from the Silent Valley in the Mournes.
Work begins on £20m Mourne water treatment works
Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson has helped to lay the foundations of the new £20 million Mourne Water Treatment Works at Drumaroad, near Castlewellan. It will be the largest Water Treatment Works to be constructed in Northern Ireland and will treat 155 million litres of water per day, supplied from the Silent Valley in the Mournes.
14 November 2024
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
14 November 2024
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
01 August 2013
NI Drinking Water Quality 'High' - Report
The quality of drinking water in Northern Ireland remains exceptionally high, according to a new report published by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
NI Drinking Water Quality 'High' - Report
The quality of drinking water in Northern Ireland remains exceptionally high, according to a new report published by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
01 October 2012
Drinking Water Quality Remains 'High'
Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, has welcomed a new report on the quality of drinking water in Northern Ireland, according to the Executive. The 'Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland, 2011' report was published on Friday by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
Drinking Water Quality Remains 'High'
Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, has welcomed a new report on the quality of drinking water in Northern Ireland, according to the Executive. The 'Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ireland, 2011' report was published on Friday by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
