NI Water has upgraded and improved Newpoint Wastewater Pumping Station (WwPS) as part of the €35m EU-funded Shared Waters Enhancement & Loughs Legacy (SWELL) project.

The scheme aims to improve water quality in Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle through investment in strategic wastewater assets on both sides of the border.

The pumping station, which is located on the banks of the Newry River, serves the whole of Newry city, transferring up to 500 litres of wastewater every second to Newry Wastewater Treatment Works for treatment.

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As part of the SWELL upgrade completed by Hillsborough-based contractor GRAHAM, three new screens have been installed at the pumping station to filter the incoming wastewater and provide protection to the adjacent water environment (Newry River).

Firstly, a new 40mm coarse screen has been installed on the inlet to remove a whole host of items which can find their way into the sewer.

Before the SWELL upgrade at Newpoint, the debris seen in the skip would have been pumped, along with the wastewater, from Newpoint to Newry Wastewater Treatment Works. With the amount of screenings already removed, it is clear to see how the pumps at Newpoint could become blocked and give rise to potential loss of wastewater to the Newry River.

As an additional level of protection, two new fine (6mm) screens have been provided at the pumping station on the new storm tank overflow. These screens filter any storm water discharged during periods of prolonged heavy rainfall, helping to improve the water quality in the Newry River and ultimately Carlingford Lough.