AQW 40020/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 06/02/2026
Answered On Date: 04/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether an upgrade to the South Street Wastewater Pumping Station, Newtownards, will be included for investment under PC28.

Answer:

The issue you have raised is an operational matter for NI Water; however, I have sought the required information.

NI Water has confirmed that there are no plans to include an upgrade to the South Street Wastewater Pumping Station (WwPS) in its PC28 business plan. NI Water had developed a solution under the Ballyrickard Drainage Area Plan, however this has been considered unfeasible and does not represent value for money, primarily due to the scale of storage required as part of the solution (c. 17,000 m³) and its estimated construction cost of c. £50m.

NI Water has advised however that, during the PC28 period (2028–2033), it will carry out further investigations and hydraulic/environmental modelling to develop a more efficient and deliverable solution. Any revised approach will be dependent upon reaching agreement with NIEA on a reduced storage requirement and the availability of sufficient CDEL funding, before assessment through the Price Control business planning process.