Farrans Glanua, working in a joint venture, has successfully concluded the initial phase of a significant water infrastructure upgrade for NI Water, benefiting customers in Strabane and the surrounding areas of County Tyrone.

This £3 million investment centred on realigning and enhancing a critical water trunk main, a project that demanded particular ingenuity to navigate a sensitive ecological environment.

The Tullywhisker to Castletown Water Improvement Scheme specifically involved laying a new 1-kilometre section of water main. A notable engineering challenge was presented by the Cavanalee River, a designated spawning river. To mitigate the risk of disturbing local wildlife and the riverbed, the construction team employed a robust drilling technique beneath the river, opting against more invasive open-cut trenching. This approach allowed for the installation of a resilient twin main, significantly boosting the security and reliability of drinking water for the region.

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Nigel Nevin, NI Water Senior Project Manager, expressed satisfaction with the outcome: "I am delighted that work has been successfully completed on this major £3m improvement scheme. The new main will provide an essential water supply system for this part of County Tyrone, ensuring the ongoing provision of high-quality drinking water to our customers in Strabane and the surrounding area. This was a challenging project, due to the sensitive nature of the Cavanalee River as a spawning river. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and opted to drill under the riverbed instead of damming the river, to dig an open cut trench to lay our pipe, in a bid to reduce disruption and minimise the risk of disturbing the river and its wildlife."

Mr Nevin extended gratitude to the project team, including the Farrans Glanua JV, as well as local landowners and the public, for their cooperation throughout the demanding works. He conveyed optimism that the new infrastructure will deliver a more resilient and enhanced water supply network, safeguarding the local drinking water provision for many years into the future.