NI Water has completed a key phase of work at Dunore Point Water Treatment Works (WTW), installing a new pump manifold tie-in for the low lift pumping station to enhance resilience and improve energy efficiency. The scheme is part of a wider programme to optimise pumping infrastructure across Northern Ireland, supported by funding from the Department for the Economy.

Eamon Tennyson, Project Manager at NI Water said: "Throughout the work programme, we carefully planned operations to maintain overall system resilience as Dunore plays a vital role in supplying drinking water in Northern Ireland. Reduced capacity at Dunore was fully offset by increased distribution outputs from Dorisland, Castor Bay and Drumaroad Water Treatment Plants, helping to ensure customers continued to receive a reliable water supply.

"Ahead of construction, extensive and proactive testing helped provide confidence in the robustness of the operational strategy. The new pumping main and manifold configuration has been designed to allow uninterrupted supply to Dunore WTW throughout the installation and commissioning of the new pumps. The changeover to the new pumping arrangement will be phased to ensure a seamless transition between the existing and new infrastructure."

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The project is being delivered in partnership with Farrans Glanua JV, the main contractor appointed to carry out the works.

Aidan Doherty, Project Manager at Glanua said, "Farrans Glanua JV recently completed a new raw water manifold within an existing flowmeter chamber to facilitate the Dunore Point low lift pump station energy efficiency upgrade. Works were meticulously planned in order to minimise impact on treated water production, with the pump station remaining in service during the entire installation and the timing of the works coordinated to avoid other interruptions throughout the network. Having the new manifold in place will now facilitate bringing the new high efficiency pumping plant online on a phased basis with no disruption or impact on supply."

John Murphy, Utilities Director at Farrans Construction said: "We are pleased to have reached this important milestone on Dunore Point, working in partnership with our client NI Water. Maintaining water supply throughout the delivery of this project has been a priority and through collaboration and extensive planning this has been achieved. Farrans Glanua JV are proud to be playing our role in improving the pumping infrastructure in our water network in Northern Ireland to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply for the future."

The next stage will connect three new pumps to one of the new manifolds, with this phase expected to complete in autumn.