NI Water completes £845k upgrade at Neillsbrook Wastewater Pumping Station in Randalstown

27 October 2023 14:16

NI Water and its project team from GRAHAM and RPS have completed a major upgrade of Neillsbrook Wastewater Pumping Station ahead of programme.

The £845,000 NI Water investment saw the complete overhaul of the existing pumping station at Maine Fold, as well as some network improvements, to provide environmental protection and help maintain the water quality in the River Maine.

Speaking about the work, NI Water’s Project Manager, Paul Hamilton said: “Most of the work took place in the vicinity of the existing pumping station at Maine Fold, where the existing underground tank was increased in size. New screening and mechanical and electrical equipment was also installed. The existing building at the Maine Fold site was partially demolished to reduce the footprint of the site, with the remainder of the building refurbished.

“The work at Maine Fold could not have been completed without the support of the neighbouring properties, for which NI Water, GRAHAM and RPS are extremely grateful.

“As part of the wider improvements, two new manholes and interconnecting sewer were constructed off the green at Weirside to further strengthen the local wastewater network.

“This work resulted in amenity areas being temporarily disrupted and NI Water, along with our project team, would take this opportunity to sincerely thank all residents in the locality, as well as other stakeholders, for their patience and cooperation throughout the delivery of this important project.”

The programme of work – which was completed a month early – was carefully planned to keep the existing pumping station operational at all times and avoid the need to build a new pumping station on a different site.

As well as delivering important environmental benefits in the area, this significant NI Water investment will reduce the level of operational maintenance and callouts.

To thank nearby residents for their support, GRAHAM delivered ‘no tricks – just treats’ bags ahead of the Halloween break, which included an important message on how the community can help NI Water to maintain a blockage-free wastewater network.

For further information visit: www.niwater.com/bag-it-and-bin-it/

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For further information, please email press.office@niwater.com

Notes to editors:

• NI Water is ready to provide engineering solutions to short term constraints where possible. It is planned to invest £2.2 billion during the six-year PC21 period (2021/22 to 2026/27), with over £1bn being invested in wastewater assets.  However, the full scale of the wastewater capacity issues across Northern Ireland will realistically take at least 12 - 18 years, or two to three Price Control periods, to address. It is therefore critical that the PC21 business plan is fully funded in line with the Utility Regulators final determination.

• It’s clear to us all just how vital it is to protect the natural resources we all depend upon. To do this, we must invest in our vital water and wastewater infrastructure.  The need for increased investment is recognised across the water sector in UK and Ireland.