An essential £8 million construction programme to upgrade the Annsborough Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW), near Castlewellan in County Down, is advancing, with Northern Ireland Water (NI Water) recently welcoming Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to the site to view the progress.

The substantial investment, announced earlier this year, is dedicated to refurbishing the treatment facility and key sections of the local sewerage network. This extensive project, carried out in a phased approach over two years, involves complex work within the boundaries of the existing plant while ensuring that the treatment works remains fully operational throughout the construction period.

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The need for the upgrade stems from considerable residential and commercial development within the village of Annsborough and the nearby town of Castlewellan since the existing WwTW was originally commissioned in 2008. To ensure this critical asset can continue to function efficiently and adhere to current environmental discharge consents, multiple elements of the treatment facility are being replaced and modernised.

In addition to the works at the WwTW, a wide-ranging programme is also improving the wastewater network across Annsborough and Castlewellan. This parallel civil engineering effort will reduce pressure on the current network and mitigate the risk of out-of-sewer flooding. The scheme also incorporates several localised sewer repairs, which will provide a more robust system for long-term environmental protection.

This initial phase of the scheme, focused on immediate improvements, will deliver a modernised treatment facility capable of meeting all environmental standards. It will also lay the groundwork for a second phase of construction, which is intended to increase the overall capacity of the treatment works once the necessary funding and planning approvals have been secured.

Maghera-based BSG Civil Engineering is the main contractor responsible for the construction and upgrade works, supported by Belfast-based engineering consultants McAdam.