An extensive programme of works totalling £8 million will commence next month to improve the Annsborough Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) in County Down and parts of the associated sewerage network, NI Water has announced.

The treatment works, located off Station Road in the village which serves Annsborough and the Castlewellan area, will ensure that NI Water can maintain compliance with the latest environmental consents.

In advance of the main construction work starting in March, NI Water's appointed contractor, BSG, will undertake some preliminary activities to facilitate the upgrade.

In agreement with the relevant landowner and to facilitate construction traffic, BSG will widen a short section of the path adjacent to the treatment works site through Corry Wood Trail. A dedicated path will be created for pedestrians and cyclists to use for the duration of the contract.

Speaking about the work, NI Water Senior Project Manager, Sean Milligan said: "The village of Annsborough and town of Castlewellan have seen significant development since the existing Wastewater Treatment Works was constructed in 2008.

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"To ensure that this key NI Water asset can continue to operate effectively and meet current environmental discharge consents, various elements within the treatment facility need to be replaced.

"The £8m upgrade of the WwTW – which will be undertaken within the confines of the existing site – will include civil construction activities as well as mechanical and electrical installations.  Work will be carried out in phases over two years, ensuring that the treatment works remains operational.

"As we embark on the site set up and subsequent construction work at Annsborough WwTW, we would ask the public to be mindful of the possibility of construction traffic being in the Station Road and Corry Wood Trail area from mid-February onwards."

The improvements at Annsborough WwTW will be supported by a series of network upgrades planned for Annsborough and Castlewellan.

The multi-million-pound investment will also be used to improve parts of the associated wastewater network in both Annsborough and Castlewellan.

Mr Milligan continued: "As part of NI Water's significant investment into the wastewater network in the Annsborough and Castlewellan areas, BSG will carry out improvements to sections of the sewerage system – including the installation of dedicated storm sewers. This work will be targeted in areas where CCTV investigations have shown a high level of infiltration of surface water and misconnections.

"The improvements to the network are expected to get underway in spring 2025 and will require traffic management in certain areas. NI Water's project team will notify residents, businesses and the wider public once this work has been fully programmed and the necessary traffic management arrangements have been approved.

"This NI Water investment forms the first step to increasing the capacity within the local wastewater network. A final phase of work, to provide the necessary stormwater storage that will help facilitate growth in the area, is planned for the future, subject to funding and approvals."