Upgrades to get underway at Seacourt Pumping Station

21 January 2014 15:03

NI Water is set to begin an extensive programme of improvements at Seacourt Pumping Station in Bangor on 3rd February as part of its ongoing £3m Wastewater Pumping Stations project.

The pumping station, which is located just off the coastal path in the town, will be converted from a ‘dry well’ to ‘wet well’ station, meaning that the emergency storage capacity at the pumping station will be increased, and helping to prevent spillages during storm conditions.

More efficient and reliable pumps will be installed, so that there should be fewer blockages in the future and an emergency overflow screen will be fitted in the pumping station in line with Northern Ireland Environment Agency requirements.

The new wet well configuration means that the entire pumping infrastructure can be placed below ground level allowing NI Water to demolish the existing, highly visible above-ground structure. New control panels for the refurbished pumping station will be housed in a small kiosk which will be tucked in alongside the rear of the existing stone wall so that it is unseen by the passer-by.

Work at the pumping station will be carried out on behalf of NI Water by GRAHAM Construction. The improvements should take no longer than 8 weeks and during that time the site will be securely fenced off. In line with council approval, deliveries to the site will be made via the Pickie Fun Park. The contractor for the scheme does not envisage any more than 5 or 6 deliveries per week and all construction vehicles accessing the site will be supervised along the coastal path.

Peter Ferguson, NI Water project manager explains: “NI Water appreciates the high amenity value of the area around Seacourt Pumping Station and is aware that many people use the coastal path on a daily basis. Unfortunately, due to the remote location of this pumping station, vehicle access is restricted and we welcome the support of North Down Borough Council in allowing NI Water to access the pumping station via the Pickie Fun Park.

“Although vehicular movements will be infrequent, we would ask anyone using the path during February and March to be aware that they could encounter construction traffic between the Pickie Fun Park and the pumping station. We greatly appreciate the co-operation of the public and the council during the upgrade of this station, which we expect will deliver significant environmental improvements in the area.

“We would like to thank the public in advance for their patience during this essential work and can assure the public that our contractor GRAHAM Construction will strive to complete the upgrades in the shortest timescale possible. Should anyone have any queries about the work at Seacourt they can contact Waterline on 08457 440088.”