AQW 38261/11-15

Mr Paul Frew
Democratic Unionist Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 05/11/2014
Answered On Date: 20/11/2014
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Regional Development to detail the location of the NI Water treatment works operating at 80 per cent or more capacity; and what plans are in place to upgrade treatment works.

Answer:

Details of the wastewater treatment works (WwTWs) that are operating at 80% or greater capacity has been supplied by NI Water and, because it is a lengthy document, is available in the Library for the Member to consult. It does not directly relate to the priority of works planned to be upgraded in any funding period. NI Water notes that the estimate of 80% capacity is based on the design capacity of the works recorded in the NI Water Annual Information Returns (AIR 14 Design PE) compared with estimated population and trade served, termed the population equivalent (PE), (AIR 14 Actual PE).

There is an ongoing capital and operational programme to maintain existing assets. NI Water also has a prioritised capital programme to address quality and growth issues at wastewater treatment works. This prioritisation is based on quality compliance and operational need and is undertaken jointly between NI Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and delivered from within the available budget.

Subject to funding, NI Water plan to commit £84m during the 6 year PC15 period in addressing quality and growth issues through the upgrade of 64 WwTWs.