NI Water has initiated a £3.5 million improvement programme at Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW).

Murphy Dawson Wam JV is undertaking the project, which focuses on improving the three-stage treatment process at the current facility. This will entail installing new filtration gear and a contemporary UV system to ensure the WwTW maintains compliance with water quality standards and facilitates the anticipated population expansion in the region.

Sean Milligan NI Water Senior Project Manager said: "We are delighted to announce the start of this major upgrade at Newcastle, which will improve essential wastewater treatment processes and safeguard coastal water quality standards for our customers in the area for many years to come. In preparation for the work, Murphy Dawson Wam have located some temporary site huts and welfare units on the roof of the treatment works.

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"A third (tertiary) level of treatment was installed at Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works as part of an extensive upgrade more than 10 years ago. This latest NI Water investment will ensure that the effluent from the treatment works continues to be of a high standard and satisfy water quality standards."

Due to the fully enclosed design of the treatment facility, the contractor will need to temporarily remove a section of the side wall of the building to install the new large-scale treatment equipment. A crane and associated traffic management will be required periodically during the upgrade.

We'll carefully plan the work to avoid any drop in effluent quality during construction. The project is expected to be finished by the end of April 2025, just before the 2025 bathing season starts.