A host of local schoolchildren joined Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon during a visit to NI Water's Wastewater Heritage Centre at Duncrue Street, Belfast.

Minister Mallon and pupils from St Marys on the Hill Primary School, Newtownabbey, were welcomed to the centre, which allows children to compare the nearby Duncrue Wastewater Treatment Works to the system used in the Victorian era.

Speaking during her visit, Minister Mallon said: "The interactive displays and educational talks here at NI Water's Heritage Centre really brings history to life for the children. Water is one of our most precious resources and how we treated our water and wastewater in the past and looking at the systems we have now can really help us change our actions for the future.

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"NI Water deals with around 15,000 blockages in the sewers each year, the majority of which could have been prevented. This leads to pollution and impacts on our natural environment. Visits like this really inspire our future generations and the importance of acting now to protect the world around us."

To reinforce NI Water's 'Bag It and Bin It' message, the pupils took part in a practical activity to highlight the importance of looking after our sewer network and to learn more about what shouldn't be flushed down the toilet.

NI Water's Outreach and Learning Officer, Anna Killen added: "NI Water places great importance on educating young people in the vital role water plays in our lives. Bringing the children to the Heritage Centre allows them to get a better understanding of the steps involved in the sewage cleaning process and what happens when they flush the toilet.

"The Heritage Centre is a wonderful facility combining history, science and environmental awareness and we're delighted with the positive feedback from schools who have participated to date."