NI Water is pressing ahead with its programme to upgrade the Culmore Trunk Sewer, strengthening the wastewater network and supporting future development across Derry. The next tranche of repair works is scheduled to begin next week within Bay Road Park.

Speaking about the wider project and the Bay Road Park works, Robert McLean, NI Water Senior Project Manager, said: "The Culmore Trunk Sewer which runs between Coshowen and Culmore Wastewater Treatment Works is an integral part of the wastewater network in Derry city and its reliable performance is critical to support day-to-day living as well as future development.

"Investigations carried out showed that over 2,500m of the 12km long pipeline needed to be relined to provide a more robust network to support future growth and reduce the risk of out-of-sewer flooding.

"So far, our appointed contractor, GRAHAM, has successfully relined over 1,700m of the trunk sewer along Foyle Road, Foyle Embankment, Queens Quay and Strand Road – including one 186m long section on Queens Quay.

"The relining process is largely undertaken from existing manholes and involves the installation of a huge sleeve which is cured in place using UV technology, effectively creating a new pipe within a pipe. This innovative trenchless (underground) approach allows NI Water to achieve a robust solution in a much quicker timeframe and with less disruption than using traditional open-cut sewer repair methods.

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"The next phase of sewer relining will take place within Bay Road Park, with work planned to get underway on Monday 16th February. As with previous phases of the project, the majority of the sewer improvements will be undertaken from existing manholes. The park will remain open at all times, however, for health and safety reasons, sections of the paths will need to be closed to facilitate the work. Path diversions will be clearly signposted and the work will be completed as quickly as possible.

"All of the work has been planned in agreement with Derry City and Strabane District council and will not affect the upcoming tree planting event. NI Water and our project team from ARUP and GRAHAM take this opportunity to thank the council for its support in the planning of these works and thank the public for their patience and cooperation while this essential work is completed.

"We also take this opportunity to highlight that construction sites are dangerous areas for unauthorised persons, especially children and we would appreciate the public's cooperation in ensuring that children do not play in or around the works or machinery. Working areas will have warning signs in place to protect the public from danger.

"Once complete in July, this phase of sewer improvements will provide a more resilient wastewater network that will help to reduce the likelihood of sewer collapses, bursts and out-of-sewer flooding in this part of Derry/Londonderry."

NI Water said it manages around 15,600km of sewers across Northern Ireland and continues to invest heavily in water and wastewater infrastructure. The utility added that blockages from inappropriate items cannot be eliminated through investment alone and urged the public to flush only the "3Ps" — pee, poo and toilet paper — with everything else placed in the bin as part of its Bag It and Bin It campaign.