NI Water has announced that work is well underway on a modern new wastewater treatment facility for Ballyronan.

The £4.8 million programme of work will deliver important environmental benefits, such as enhancing the water quality in Lough Neagh and has been designed to accommodate development in the area for the next 25 years.

The existing treatment works, which was constructed in the 1970s, remains in operation while the new infrastructure is being installed at the same site.

NI Water Project Manager, Sean Milligan said:

“This major investment includes the installation of state-of-the-art, fully enclosed, treatment tanks, along with advanced electrical and mechanical systems to provide a robust wastewater treatment solution.

“This will help enhance the water quality in Lough Neagh, bringing many benefits to   the local community well into the future.

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council’s Development Committee, Councillor Sean Clarke, added:

“This new multi-million pound facility is good news for Council, as it will enhance wastewater services for customers in the Ballyronan area and beyond, whilst accommodating future development in the area.”

Many local companies are involved in delivering the major investment, including main contractor Coalisland-based GEDA Construction, with Newry-based Water Solutions Ireland carrying out the extensive mechanical and electrical installation at the site, while Belfast-based RPS Group are providing technical support for the project.

NI Water described the £4.8 million investment, which is due to be completed by late 2023, as “an excellent example of what can be done when the necessary funding is in place”.

NI Water’s capital funding for year 1 of its business plan has already been secured - the water company reiterated that the business is looking forward to “the necessary funding being put in place across the full six-year period to 2027.”