A consultation process has launched for Living with Water in Belfast.

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon opened the consultation which is an integrated plan for drainage and wastewater management for Belfast.

Living With Water in Belfast is the draft strategic plan for drainage and wastewater management for the greater Belfast area and is being developed as part of the Living With Water Programme. The programme is a multi-agency initiative to take forward an integrated approach to drainage and wastewater management and covers the geographical area served by the six wastewater treatment works, which discharge into inner Belfast Lough.

Opening the consultation process, the Minister said: "The health and well-being of our citizens, our environment and our economy are dependent on an effective water and sewerage service. Unfortunately, the existing drainage systems and treatment works are becoming increasingly overwhelmed and much of the drainage and wastewater infrastructure in the greater Belfast area is in urgent need of modernisation.

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"This is evident through increasing levels of sewer collapses and blockages, more regular instances of flooding and deteriorating water quality in watercourses and in the sea. Regrettably, climate change exacerbates this situation, which is why we need to act to protect against flooding now. This requires significant levels of investment, without which there will be major constraints on economic growth, on our ability to build new homes, likely increased pollution and damage to the environment and an increased risk to the populations’ health and wellbeing."

Explaining the steps needed to address the issue, the Minister said: "Living With Water in Belfast proposes an integrated and collaborative approach, including new policies to encourage greener drainage solutions; sustainable drainage systems; river restoration works that focus on managing water; as well as hard engineered infrastructure such as bigger pipes, larger treatment works and higher flood defences.

"This is a £1.4 billion plan over 12 years. Since becoming Minister, I have been consistently making the case for the long-term investment in our sewerage networks and wastewater treatment facilities. This plan that I am opening for consultation today, is a blueprint for future integrated water management, initially for Belfast which will then be rolled out to other areas across the North."