Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has visited the Magilligan area in the North West where NI Water is carrying out an extensive £8m programme of work to rationalise and upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in this popular tourist region.

At the heart of the huge investment is the construction of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment works on a Greenfield site - previously-owned by the Ministry of Defence - located off the Point Road in Magilligan. Designed for population projections to the year 2030, this modern new facility will treat all sewerage flows from Oughtymoyle, Drumavalley, Aughil, Benone, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) facility and HM Prison Magilligan, before discharging the final effluent to the North Channel via a new outfall pipe at Magilligan Point.

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Viewing progress at the new Magilligan Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW), Danny Kennedy said: "This vital project is excellent news on both an environmental and economic level. The local watercourses, including Lough Foyle and the bathing waters at Benone Strand, will significantly benefit from this major investment and the construction industry in Northern Ireland is being given a welcome boost by the £8m investment.

"I am impressed to see the progress of the work on this important new treatment facility which will serve this popular tourist area well for many years to come. The new infrastructure will also ensure compliance with foreseeable European standards."

Due for completion in September 2013, the Benone Area Sewerage Scheme is just one of many projects making up a £3m-a-week spend by NI Water to deliver a 21st century infrastructure for the whole of Northern Ireland. BSG Civil Engineering is the contractor for this scheme with AECOM providing design and technical support.

(CD)