NI Water has announced a two-year, £10 million investment package to carry out improvement works at a number of minor wastewater treatment facilities across rural parts of Northern Ireland.

The Province's water authority will undertake a widespread portfolio of work to upgrade processes at wastewater treatment works, which serve villages or communities with a population of less than 300.

Trevor Haslett, Director of Engineering Procurement, said: "There are approximately 900 rural wastewater treatment facilities across Northern Ireland; many of which are basic septic tanks, and some of these date back to the early 1960s.

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"A significant proportion of the rural infrastructure is struggling to cope with population growth, increased housing and the rising demands of 21st century living.

"NI Water's substantial investment will completely overhaul existing systems and facilitate future local development to 2018. It will also bring about environmental improvements through the installation of modern treatment processes," he added.

Part of the Investment Programme will involve the installation of hi-tech wastewater treatment tanks known as Rotating Biological Contactors.

The tanks which are designed specifically for small footprint areas are fully enclosed and will be partially buried on-site to minimise their visual impact.

According to NI Water, these improvements will not only result in cleaner beaches and rivers but they will facilitate demand placed on the system by ongoing development.

By 2010, NI Water will have invested £492m in wastewater treatment and collection systems.

Work on the scheme will be carried out through a joint venture by local companies - BSG Civil Engineering (Maghera), Williams Industrial Services (Mallusk) and McAdam Design (Belfast).

(PR)(BMcC)