A new £32m water treatment system has been officially opened at Dunore Point, in Antrim.

The plant forms part of the wider Project Alpha, a £110m upgrade scheme of the existing water treatment facilities at Dunore Point, Ballinrees, in Coleraine; Castor Bay, in Craigavon; and Moyola, in Magherafelt.

Project Alpha also delivered the construction of three new strategic link mains supplying Ballymoney, Limavady and Lisburn.

The scheme, carried out in partnership with Dalriada Water, has been one of the biggest projects undertaken by NI Water.

Speaking at the opening, Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy said: "I welcome the completion of this major investment project which will deliver an efficient, cost effective and high quality treated water source, safeguarding the water supply infrastructure for the years ahead."

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Laurence MacKenzie, Chief Executive of NI Water added: "The completion of this project on time and on budget is good news for customers. It safeguards water supplies, ensuring that new water quality benchmarks are met. It is a critical part of our overall investment programme.

"I would like to thank the entire team involved in this project and our partners Dalriada Water for their efforts in ensuring that this essential project was delivered on schedule and within budget."

Paul Wynn, Chairman of Dalriada Water Services said: "Dalriada Water is delighted to have worked in partnership with NI Water on Project Alpha. Now part of the Kelda Water Services group, Dalriada has benefited from industry best practice from working with Yorkshire Water, Farrans and AECOM.

"We believe this project is a model of excellence for other similar projects throughout the UK."

(PR/GK)