NI Water has announced that it is leading the way with another major sustainable solution to wastewater treatment, which maximises the use of renewables as part of an integrated solution. This £5million investment to upgrade Ballykelly Wastewater Treatment Works will provide a new sustainable wastewater treatment approach, utilising reed beds as part of the treatment process, providing a natural, long-term sustainable and resilient solution. This major investment also includes a 100kW solar energy system to help power the new works with solar energy.  

Sara Venning, CEO NI Water said: “As the largest user of electricity in Northern Ireland, we are committed to finding innovative sustainable solutions to water and wastewater treatment that also harness renewable energy to reduce our expenditure on power.

“Ballykelly is one of many sites across the province where we are thinking outside the box, using a natural solution to wastewater treatment, combined with using a solar energy system to help reduce our energy use and carbon footprint.

“As the second largest landowner in Northern Ireland, our assets have the potential to be a catalyst for change across Northern Ireland’s energy and transport networks as a whole.”  

The contractor for this major investment is Maghera-based BSG Civil Engineering in partnership with Belfast-based RPS.