A Northern Ireland wastewater treatment project has been awarded an 'excellent' CEEQUAL accolade for its engineering and environmental work.

The Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) completed a complex 2,000m sq extension build into the Irish Sea within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a Special Area of Conservation and an Area of Special Scientific Interest.

CEEQUAL – the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme – honours the commitment of those in the civil engineering industry that achieve high environmental, economic and social performance and rewards project teams that go the extra mile to accomplish distinctive environmental and social performance in their work.

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The extension met new Bathing Water Regulations and was future-proofed to accommodate population growth in the seaside town. Outside, the roof of the 50m-long concrete structure was sown out with a special mix of indigenous coastal seeds to provide an attractive view for the overlooking properties and a natural habitat for local birds and insects.

NI Water completed the project alongside its consultants, McAdam Design and contractors Dawson-Wam Ovivo JV.

Kieran Grant, NI Water's Project Manager for the scheme, accepted the award on behalf of the team, and said: "This £10m project represents one of the most complex wastewater facility upgrades to be undertaken for NI Water in recent years. Located on the County Down coast, in one of NI's top seaside resorts, the Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works Project presented NI Water and its contractor, Dawson-Wam Ovivo JV with numerous civil engineering, environmental and aesthetic challenges, all of which were overcome on a highly successful project fully embraced by client and contractor alike. We are delighted to receive this prestigious award which is a fitting tribute to the efforts of the entire design and construction team."

(CM/MH)