AQW 29917/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the work on Ballykelly’s wastewater system that has been (i) completed in the last three years; and (ii) budgeted for in future.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 17 February 2022
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 17 February 2022
- Answer due by
- 4 March 2022
- Answered
- 24 February 20227 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
Answer
(i)In the last three years, NI Water has completed the following work on Ballykelly’s wastewater system.
Ballykelly Storm Sewer
During the summer of 2019, NI Water undertook a storm separation project. This was to reduce the risk of out of sewer flooding and also to reduce the flow to the existing wastewater treatment works, to help reduce the likelihood of the works becoming flooded. This involved laying a new storm sewer down Ballykelly Main Street, which discharges directly to the nearby river. This project represented an investment of approximately £760k.
Ballykelly Wastewater Treatment Works
NI Water has recently completed work on a £5 million investment in Ballykelly wastewater treatment works, to provide a new sustainable wastewater treatment solution on-site, which includes a 100kW solar energy system, to help power the new works with clean energy. The solar panels will power the plant during the summer months and power will be augmented from the grid during the winter. Across an expected 25-year lifetime, NI Water expects the solar energy system to save the business over £400k. NI Water is also providing a facility at the works to undertake wastewater treatment trials as part of its Innovation Programme.
In addition, NI Water also has an ongoing project around the Ballykelly site to plant trees, to help meet the company’s goal of planting 1 million trees by 2025. This scheme will improve future wastewater services for customers in the area, enhance the local environment and improve local watercourses by using an innovative integrated constructed wetland, as an energy free final wastewater treatment filter process.
(ii)In light of this recent investment, during the PC21 Price Control programme (2021/22 - 2026/27) I am advised that NI Water has no specific capital projects planned for Ballykelly’s wastewater system. However, any necessary maintenance work, required to address specific issues during this time, would be carried out under NI Water’s base maintenance programme of work.