Murphy opens £160million Belfast Sewers Project

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy today officially opened a major stormwater pumping station at Duncrue Street in Belfast. This marks the completion of NI Water’s £160million Belfast Sewers Project.

Launched in 2006, the important project is one of the biggest infrastructure schemes to be completed in the north and will bring major benefits to Belfast including a cleaner environment and reduction in flooding.

The project, which included the construction of one of the largest stormwater pumping stations in Ireland, will also greatly reduce the risk of pollution to the River Lagan.

Speaking at the official opening of the new facility, the Minister said: "The completion of the Belfast Sewers Project is good news for everyone in the city and represents an important milestone in its history. By reducing the risk of out-of-sewer flooding and pollution of our local rivers, the project will help accommodate our expanding city and its needs well into the 21st Century.

"This project underlines our commitment to support growth and development across the region by improving vital infrastructure and highlights the importance of continuing to invest in our water and sewerage infrastructure."

The Belfast Sewers Project employed more than 300 personnel during construction work which included a tunnel network running at depths of up to 30 metres. The largest section spans four metres in diameter and stretches from Cromac Street to the pumping station at Duncrue Street.

NI Water Chief Executive, Laurence Mackenzie said: "This is a landmark achievement for NI Water, an achievement we wish to share with the traders, businesses and local community who worked in partnership with us throughout this project.

"Today’s success is the result of years of careful planning and the dedication of a skilled team working in tough conditions with cutting-edge technology. We are proud to now have a system that is recognised to be amongst the best in Europe."

Details of the Belfast Sewers Project can be found on the NI Water website or by contacting Waterline on 08457 440 088.

Notes to editors:

1. The Belfast Sewers Project involved work to upgrade the existing sewer networks and the construction of a large diameter drainage tunnel to increase stormwater capacity. A contract to upgrade the sewer network was started in 2005. There are approximately 1,800 km of sewers covering a catchment area of 42 square kilometres. The tunnelling work was the final part of the Belfast Sewers Project and provided the required increased capacity in the sewerage system.
2. The implementation of this project will result in the closure of a significant number of the existing combined sewer overflows, which will reduce the pollutant load from the sewerage system on the River Lagan and its tributaries by 85% of present levels. The project also involved more than 500 repairs to the sewer network and significantly increased the city’s stormwater capacity.
3. The routes of the tunnels were determined by ground conditions, the availability of sites for the tunnel shafts, and other logistical constraints.
4. Morgan Est, part of Morgan Sindall plc, were the leading engineering contractors on the Belfast Sewers Project. They were responsible for the construction of all shafts and tunnels for the project. Morgan Farrans were the main contractor for this major investment, alongside NI Water's appointed project managers, Atkins.
5. The depth of the Terminal Pumping station is 40m which is greater than the height of the Albert Memorial Clock Tower.
6. All media queries to: Department for Regional Development Press Office, Tel 028 9054 0004. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.