NI Water is on course to potentially save £250,000 per year after investing in new machinery.

Having purchased six mini diggers and three tipper lorries, the company is aiming to make savings by reducing the use of external plant hire by not only bringing the equipment in house, but also the skills.

The delivery also marks the latest phase of an ongoing two-year fleet replenishment programme to help cut down on operating costs and create a multi-skilled workforce. Overall, the new vehicles and plant will help NI Water to repair key assets such as watermains.

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Brian McCalmont, Head of Water, said: "Purchased from local companies D.A. Forgie in Limavady and TBF Thompson in Mullusk, we recently took delivery of six new 2.5 tonne mini diggers and three tipper lorries which will see us potentially reduce our plant hire costs by £250k per year.

"The initiative, phased in over the last 2 years, aims to reduce operating costs through a reduction in plant hire costs and develop a multi-skilled workforce through both the recruitment of new staff and the upskilling of existing staff."

Continuing, Mr McCalmont said the move will help NI Water improve customer's experience and productivity by reducing operating costs and the need for third party contractors.

"We are delighted that this investment programme has the added benefit of providing the opportunity for employees to gain vital knowledge and skills that will help us to meet current and future business needs," he said.

"With 10 employees now fully trained to operate and drive the new vehicles and plant, we are ready to put them to the test."

(LM/MH)