NI Water's project team behind the recently completed Foyle Street Network Upgrades has been awarded a BREEAM Infrastructure rating of 'Very Good'.

The recognition reflects a sustainability-led approach throughout delivery of essential water and wastewater works on Foyle Street and the subsequent reinstatement of the Foyle Street Car Park, completed last year in Derry/Londonderry.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a leading global benchmark for sustainability in the built environment, widely applied to complex infrastructure schemes.

Kieran Grant, NI Water Project Manager, said: "I would like to congratulate the entire project team on this prestigious BREEAM award, particularly the BSG PHACE site team and ARUP, with support from all our stakeholders, including Derry City and Strabane District Council and the City Centre Initiative.

"Stakeholder engagement with the local businesses and wider community was key on this major project, which will help deliver environmental benefits, including reduced risk of out-of-sewer flooding in the area while helping to support localised development in the short term."

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Jim Roddy, City Centre Initiative, added: "I'd like to congratulate the project team whose dedication to delivering high standards throughout this project did not go unnoticed. A long-term sustainable system can only be to the benefit of our city, particularly our city centre and its infrastructure. The project team's engagement with local traders and stakeholders was key to ensuring the smooth delivery of this project and we again congratulate them on this well-deserved award."

More than 130 site operatives — including apprentices, placement students and engineering trainees — worked on the upgrade of the 100-year-old water and wastewater infrastructure between Shipquay Place and Water Street.

Across almost 34,000 manhours, the BSG workforce installed 400m of dedicated stormwater sewer and a new foul sewer to separate this section of the combined system, alongside 170m of new watermain. Over 50 property connections were completed to fully modernise the network on Foyle Street.

The scheme was also registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme and secured an "Excellent" score of 45/45, reflecting high performance in safety, quality and proactive community engagement.

BREEAM Infrastructure assessments consider areas such as energy use, water stewardship, materials efficiency, waste reduction and ecology, with a whole‑life focus from design through operation. Independent third‑party verification provides assurance for stakeholders and regulators, while certified projects commonly benefit from lower lifecycle costs, enhanced asset value and reputation, improved resilience to climate risks, better user well‑being and easier compliance with evolving sustainability requirements.