Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, regarding the PC21 period, to detail (i) when the work began on the improvement of the Loup Wastewater Treatment Works; (ii) when the work will be completed; (iii) the total cost of the improvements; (iv) the increase in capacity of the improved treatment works, and (v) the number of extra units it can serve.
Minister for Infrastructure: The management of public wastewater infrastructure is an operational matter for NI Water. I have sought the requested information from NI Water to inform the response to your question and can advise as follows:
NI Water has advised that the upgrade of the Loup Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) is not included in its current Price Control Investment Programme (PC21, 2021/22 – 2027/28). During the PC21 period, however, NI Water has been undertaking enhanced base maintenance work to improve the efficient operation of the works and ensure that the works can comply with the Water Order Consent issued by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
NI Water has completed the installation of an electricity supply to the site, and further enhanced base maintenance works is scheduled to start during the Summer of 2026 and complete in the Summer 2027.
This enhanced base maintenance work represents an investment of circa £1.27m at the Loup WwTW. This additional programme of work aims to maintain compliance and improve efficiency, not increase wastewater capacity. Completion of these works, combined with enhanced monitoring, will help NI Water treat wastewater flows up to the current design capacity and gather data to inform future capital upgrades.
ENDS
Your MLA 