NI Water is set to start an £8 million programme of upgrades at Downpatrick Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) this summer, following the recent granting of planning permission.

The investment aims to modernise the facility and ensure it continues to meet strict environmental standards.

The improvements will be delivered in two stages. The initial, £8m-funded phase will focus on replacing ageing assets to safeguard compliance, paving the way for a second phase—within the current site footprint—intended to increase capacity and support economic development in the town, subject to funding.

NI Water Senior Project Manager, Martin Armstrong said: "Downpatrick WwTW, located off the Belfast Road, was originally constructed in 1995 and extended in 2010 to support a growing population in the town.

"To ensure that this key NI Water asset can continue to operate effectively and meet current environmental discharge consents, some of the older elements within the treatment facility need to be replaced. The plan is to then commence a further extension of the works - within the existing site footprint - to accommodate future economic growth.

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"Our contractor, BSG Civil Engineering, will mobilise on site in July to begin setting up their compound in lands to the north of the existing WwTW site and plan to undertake the improvements in two phases.

"The first phase will see the replacement of critical components of the treatment works which are nearing the end of their asset lifespan. This work will ensure that the treatment facility can continue to operate effectively and meet environmental discharge consents. This part of the upgrade - which will involve both civil construction and mechanical/electrical works - will be carried out over two years, with the treatment works remaining operational at all times.

"The early stages of the upgrade will involve significant excavation works and therefore, vehicle movements in and out of the site and along the adjacent Belfast Road will increase for a number of weeks. Topsoil removal will be supervised by a qualified archaeologist.

"A second phase of improvements - to further increase the capacity of the treatment works and support future development in the Downpatrick area - will follow on subject to funding.

"This investment is good news for the Downpatrick area, with the phased works designed to fit both the immediate and longer-term needs of the town's treatment facility.

"The improvements will deliver environmental benefits through improved protection of the Quoile River and subsequently Strangford Lough, while the second phase, subject to funding, will help to support economic and population growth in Downpatrick."