Overview of NI Water’s Planned Infrastructure Investment in Mid Ulster District Council during Price Control 21 (2021/22 to 2026/27)
27 November 2023 15:57
NI Water met with Mid Ulster District Council representatives on Thursday 23rd November 2023 to provide an overview of NI Water’s planned infrastructure investments, challenges and development constraints going forward for the Council area.
In its local development plan, Mid Ulster District Council has anticipated that it will need 11,000 new homes by 2030. The towns of Cookstown, Dungannon and Magherafelt will be the main Hubs for growth, with predictions that 8,500 new jobs will be created.
At the meeting, NI Water outlined that it is looking at how these plans may be accommodated, and also explained they will look at ways to help where they can in the short to medium term. NI Water emphasised its commitment to finding solutions and exploring all available options to work with Councils and developers to progress the Council’s ambitions for the people in their area.
NI Water’s Head of Investment Management, Stephen Blockwell, said: “NI Water’s goal is to ensure we have a modern, efficient service today and in the future. While Investment is needed urgently, NI Water has a plan in place and we are ready and capable to deliver.”
At the meeting, NI Water explained its goal is to help progress and facilitate future economic development and the necessity of funding NI Water appropriately to allow the NI Government / Executive to meet its medium and long term objectives for economic growth.
Dr Blockwell continued: “NI Water is ready to provide engineering solutions to short term constraints where possible. However, the full funding identified by the Utility Regulator in its Final Determination (PC21) is required, to fulfil the vision of economic expansion for the people in our towns and cities.
“This is not a ‘wish list’ or a ‘nice to have.’ This is the blueprint that will help us ensure NI Water can deliver in a strong, modern regional economy.
“Our infrastructure plans over the 2021 – 2027 period (known as PC21) for the Mid Ulster District Council area requires ca £90 million pounds of investment to upgrade wastewater assets. This is over and above essential base maintenance investment associated with our assets during PC21. This investment will begin to address the sewer and wastewater capacity issues. However, we recognise that significant further investment will be required within the Council area
during future Price Control periods to allow new housing and business development to proceed in some areas.”
Dr Blockwell added:
“NI Water has highlighted the impact underfunding has had on our Economy and the Environment for many years and that this will take a number of price controls to rectify (18+ years). The message is clear. NI Water has an ambitious plan and significant and sustained investment is needed for wastewater and water infrastructure across Northern Ireland.
A number of slides with information on current sewer and wastewater issues and proposed investment in Mid Ulster District Council were presented at the meeting.
Further information can be found on our website https://www.niwater.com/capacity-information/
Ends
Notes to Editors:
- The Utility Regulator published its Final Determination of what it believes Northern Ireland Water should deliver in both levels of service and capital programmes during the six years from 2021 to 2027. The Regulator’s Determination also determines the level of costs and finance required to be invested by Northern Ireland Water’s shareholder, the Department for Infrastructure, on behalf of the Assembly Executive over the six years, beginning in April 2021.
- PC21 Business Plan Fast Read is available to view: click here
- Examples of risks to people’s health includes: risks associated with overflows from manholes into public highways or gardens, driveways; high frequency of discharges from sewers reaching the sea. This could affect blue flag status and potentially lead to increased infections such as ear infections for surfers and swimmers.
- At the meeting, NI Water also provided an update on the mast at the Hill of the O’Neill site and on Dungannon Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW). NI Water welcomed liaison with Mid Ulster District Council on proposals to complete the £93,000 feasibility study on the mast at the Hill of O’Neill site. Mid Ulster Council has confirmed they will part-fund the study. Pending approval, Atkins/Realis will be appointed to complete the study, working alongside NI Water and the Council throughout the process. However, NI funding priorities remain for critical infrastructure, additional capital investment would be outside that remit.
Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com