The additional funding, announced by the regional development minister Danny Kennedy, brings the total of NIW’s investment, which has been allocated to improve wastewater treatment systems in rural areas, to more than £22M.

The programme was set up in 2008 by NIW to upgrade some of Northern Ireland’s 900 minor wastewater works.

According to NIW, rural villages across Northern Ireland will benefit from this further investment as it extends its Rural Wastewater Investment Programme for a fourth year.

Kennedy said: “This major investment will completely overhaul existing outdated systems; implement the latest technology available to bring about environmental benefits and facilitate future local development for the next 10 years.

“The Regional Development Strategy earmarks growth in our smaller towns, villages and rural communities to maximise their potential. This investment programme can help support that aim as well as enhancing the local environment.”

This latest phase of work has again been awarded to local companies, with BSG Civil Engineering and Williams Industrial Services, which have worked as a joint venture on the project for the last three years, completing 65 sites.

NIW’s acting director of engineering procurement, Bill Gowdy, said: “The project is both complex and logistically challenging but the rewards are far-reaching in terms of improved water quality in local rivers.

“NI Water is pleased to work with local companies on this scheme and will continue to develop new technologies and processes that will benefit wastewater services for our customers.”

Carys Matthews

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