Visitors have been given a rare glimpse inside Belfast's Victorian sewage infrastructure as NI Water opened its historic Wastewater Heritage Centre as part of a campaign highlighting the connection between healthy waterways and wellbeing.

The events, held at NI Water's treatment works on Duncrue Industrial Estate, formed part of Live Here Love Here's Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds campaign, supported by Belfast Harbour.

NI Water's education team led visitors through the history of Belfast's wastewater network, from the city's pioneering 19th-century infrastructure to the modern treatment processes used today to protect waterways and the marine environment.

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The tours offered a behind-the-scenes look at how wastewater is treated before being safely returned to the water cycle, while also highlighting practical steps households can take to reduce pressure on the sewer network.

Visitors were reminded of the importance of following the "three Ps" when using the toilet — pee, poo and toilet paper — and were urged to dispose of fats, oils and grease in the bin rather than pouring them down sinks.

These materials can contribute to blockages in the sewer network, potentially causing environmental problems and disruption to wastewater services.

The heritage centre events are part of the wider Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds campaign, now in its sixth year. The initiative encourages people to spend time outdoors and explore Northern Ireland's rivers, coastlines and other blue spaces, with an emphasis on the benefits that access to water can have for mental and physical wellbeing.

Running throughout August, this year's programme includes educational activities, water sports, wildlife experiences, mindfulness sessions and environmental initiatives.

The campaign aims to encourage people of all ages to connect with Northern Ireland's waterways while gaining a greater understanding of the role they play in both environmental health and everyday life.