New £1.3m wastewater scheme for Stoneyford village

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy and NI Water announced the construction of the new Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW), a treatment facility that cleans dirty water naturally.

Work will begin on the ICW at the Stoneyford Road site on Monday April 14, and will continue until the end of the year.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Uel Mackin and Vice Chairman, Alderman James Tinsley, welcomed the new Integrated Constructed Wetlands.

Councillor Mackin said: “For some considerable time housing development in Stoneyford has been restricted, due to an inadequate sewage facility.

“This provision, which is to be welcomed, will now make available greater opportunities to develop the housing stock in the area. There were considerable concerns among local residents as to the impact this Wetlands facility would have in the area, but following a visit to a wetlands site in Monaghan, these fears were allayed.”

Alderman Tinsley said: “This is a first for Northern Ireland and really shows how Lisburn is at the forefront with new service provision in the local city area. The project is based on the Integrated Construction Wetland approach pioneered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service from the Department of the Environment.

Mr Gerard Magennis, Chairman of the Stoneyford Community Association, said: “I went to Monaghan to see the Wetland area there and I was very impressed with it. I have been involved in discussions over this project and feel it will really benefit the Stoneyford community.”

Minister Kennedy, who also praised the project said, “The current treatment works in the village is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced.

“The Stoneyford site will be a flagship project for Northern Ireland Water and aims to produce an industry-leading example of how wastewater treatment can be integrated into and complement the local ecosystem.

“The Integrated Construction Wetland method NI Water plans to use in the construction of a new facility for wastewater treatment at Stoneyford village has been developed from natural concepts.”

Dermott McCurdy, NI Water Project Sponsor added: “NI Water will continue to liaise with the local community throughout this programme of work and look forward to implementing this new environmental approach to wastewater treatment.

“This essential scheme will also provide a welcome boost to the local construction industry and the contract has been awarded to Maghera-based BSG Civil Engineering.”

NI Water and contractor BSG Civil Engineering would like to thank the public in advance for their patience and co-operation while we complete this essential improvement scheme. They have said to endeavour to keep any disruption to a minimum.”

Customer queries should be directed to Waterline on 08457 440 088, quoting ‘BSG Civil Engineering- Stoneyford ICW’.