Overview of NI Water’s Planned Infrastructure Investment in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council during Price Control 21 (2021/2027)
25 June 2024 16:01
NI Water met with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council representatives on Monday 24th June 2024 to provide an overview of NI Water’s planned infrastructure investments, challenges and development constraints going forward for the Council area.
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.
Steve Blockwell, NI Water’s Head of Investment Management, Engineering & Sustainability, said: “NI Water’s goal in the council area is to ensure there is a modern, efficient service today and in the future. These services play a pivotal role in protecting NI’s environment and growing the economy. NI Water is committed to delivering this for the benefit of all by maximising infrastructure, investigating options for targeted interventions, promoting developer led and financed solutions through the solution engineering team and also providing robust planning responses.”
NI Water highlighted a number of capital projects in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area, including the upgrade of Grange Wastewater Treatment works and completion of a new Wastewater pumping station at Lower Woodburn.
A number of slides with information on current water and wastewater issues and proposed investment in Mid and East Antrim Borough Council were presented at the meeting.
Councillors were also given information on the prevention of sewage blockages with the Fat, Oils and Grease (FOG) campaign and the importance of contacting NI Water’s pre-planning team in alignment with the Developers Services Campaign.
NI Water is ready and capable to deliver for the people of Mid and East Antrim. However, recent budget reductions will restrict progress with future homes, businesses and public buildings being unable to connect to the wastewater system right across Northern Ireland to protect the environment.
It is too early to assess the immediate impact on Mid and East Antrim. Our infrastructure plans over the 2021-2027 period (known as PC21) for the Mid and East Antrim Council area requires full funding to upgrade wastewater assets. Significant further investment will be required during future Price Control periods to allow new housing and business developments to proceed in some areas.
Further information can be found on our website https://www.niwater.com/capacity-information/
Ends
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