Menu
19/08/2002
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.
The new treatment plant will use a dissolved air floatation treatment process that will provide an effective barrier against cryptosporidium entering the water supply. There have been a number of recent cases of the diarrhoea-causing bug finding its way into tap water and it is hoped that the new filtration plant will help to reduce such occurrences in the future.
Speaking at the site of the Works, the Minister said: “Belfast and large parts of County Down have been supplied with high-quality drinking water from the Mournes for the last 100 years.
“However, in order to fully comply with the standards set by the European Union Drinking Water Directive, and to ensure effective protection against cryptosporidium, it is necessary to build a modern and sophisticated treatment works. I am delighted to help launch the construction work here today.”
This is the third and final phase of the Aquarius Mourne Water Project. The other phases involve replacing the 100-year-old Mourne Conduit, which includes laying 42 kilometres of new pipeline between Castlewellan and Belfast and the construction of two major pumping stations at a cost of £40 million.
The new pipeline and pumping stations will be fully operational by next Spring and will significantly improve the security of the public water supply to around 300,000 customers.
The Minister said: “It is Water Service’s highest priority to ensure that public health is protected. These significant investments demonstrate my commitment to ensuring that customers receive the highest quality drinking water.”
The Mourne Water Treatment Works is due to be completed in late 2004.
(SP)
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.
The new treatment plant will use a dissolved air floatation treatment process that will provide an effective barrier against cryptosporidium entering the water supply. There have been a number of recent cases of the diarrhoea-causing bug finding its way into tap water and it is hoped that the new filtration plant will help to reduce such occurrences in the future.
Speaking at the site of the Works, the Minister said: “Belfast and large parts of County Down have been supplied with high-quality drinking water from the Mournes for the last 100 years.
“However, in order to fully comply with the standards set by the European Union Drinking Water Directive, and to ensure effective protection against cryptosporidium, it is necessary to build a modern and sophisticated treatment works. I am delighted to help launch the construction work here today.”
This is the third and final phase of the Aquarius Mourne Water Project. The other phases involve replacing the 100-year-old Mourne Conduit, which includes laying 42 kilometres of new pipeline between Castlewellan and Belfast and the construction of two major pumping stations at a cost of £40 million.
The new pipeline and pumping stations will be fully operational by next Spring and will significantly improve the security of the public water supply to around 300,000 customers.
The Minister said: “It is Water Service’s highest priority to ensure that public health is protected. These significant investments demonstrate my commitment to ensuring that customers receive the highest quality drinking water.”
The Mourne Water Treatment Works is due to be completed in late 2004.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 August 2004
Commissioning work begins at water treatment facility
The Water Service has begun commissioning works on its £20m water treatment plant in Co Down. The largest water treatment facility to be built to date in Northern Ireland, the three-month commissioning period will involve rigorous testing of all the state-of-the-art systems at Drumaroad, near Castlewellan.
Commissioning work begins at water treatment facility
The Water Service has begun commissioning works on its £20m water treatment plant in Co Down. The largest water treatment facility to be built to date in Northern Ireland, the three-month commissioning period will involve rigorous testing of all the state-of-the-art systems at Drumaroad, near Castlewellan.
03 October 2023
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
23 September 2022
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
19 September 2001
Water Service moves to prevent cryptosporidium contamination
DRD Water Service has made substantial progress in implementing a series of recommendations designed to prevent a repeat outbreak of cryptosporidium in the public water supply. The measures were outlined in a recently published report into the cryptosporidium contamination that occurred at Dunore Point water supply earlier this year.
Water Service moves to prevent cryptosporidium contamination
DRD Water Service has made substantial progress in implementing a series of recommendations designed to prevent a repeat outbreak of cryptosporidium in the public water supply. The measures were outlined in a recently published report into the cryptosporidium contamination that occurred at Dunore Point water supply earlier this year.
30 June 2021
Major Funding Boost For NI's Water Services
Funding of £344.5 million has been announced for essential water and sewerage services as part of the Department for Infrastructure 2021/22 budget. The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Derg Water Treatment Works where a major £12 million upgrade is about to get underway.
Major Funding Boost For NI's Water Services
Funding of £344.5 million has been announced for essential water and sewerage services as part of the Department for Infrastructure 2021/22 budget. The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Derg Water Treatment Works where a major £12 million upgrade is about to get underway.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
