FAQs

What is the Belfast Sewers Project?

It is a £100 million programme of improvements that will deliver a modern sewerage system for 250,000 people in the greater Belfast area.

Where will it be happening?

It is taking place within the greater Belfast Catchment area.

Why is it necessary?

The project is necessary to address the problems arising from Belfast’s existing over worked sewerage system and to deliver Northern Ireland Water’s commitments to provide an excellent standard of service to local people. Much of the current sewerage system is over 100 years old and is now unable to cope with the volume of waste generated by the population of Belfast today. Problems of river pollution and flooding need to be addressed and the older sewers need to be refurbished or replaced.

What are the key benefits of this project?

The main benefits will be improvements to both the water quality of the River Lagan and other watercourses, where the pollutant load will be reduced by 85%, and the potential for flooding within Belfast city reduced. This will enhance the quality of life for all of the 250,000 people in the greater Belfast area.

Repairing Belfast’s outdated sewerage system will also benefit the city and local community by helping to increase inward investment, enhancing tourism, and creating a cleaner environment. In addition to reducing the incidence of flooding, there will also be fewer disruptions arising from emergency repairs to defective sewers.

Completion of the Project will ensure compliance with the rigorous requirements of the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. It is also expected to facilitate urban regeneration.

Is this driven by an EU Directive?

Northern Ireland Water’s commitment to delivering a high quality water service to Northern Ireland is the driving force behind the Project. The standards of environmental service are set out by EU legislation.

Will this programme reduce flooding in Belfast?

Yes, upgrading the existing antiquated system with a modern system will significantly reduce flooding. As with most urban sewerage systems, Belfast has a combined sewerage system. This carries not only domestic sewage and industrial trade effluent, but also storm drainage. This means the current system has great difficulty in coping during periods of very heavy rainfall.

Why has this work not been carried out before?

Significant investment into the water industry is regulated and controlled by EU legislation. Northern Ireland Water is responding to the timetable and standards of such legislation with the increased investment in water and wastewater infrastructure as seen in the Belfast Sewers Project and other projects.

How will the work be carried out?

The Belfast Sewers Project is one of the biggest infrastructure investments in the city and will employ the best innovative, technological, efficient and environmental practices to deliver a sewerage system that is fit for a 21st century city. The Project will include the construction of a new 9.2km sewer tunnel and pumping station, new sewers and stormwater storage tanks and the repair of approximately 500 existing sewers.

What type of technology will be used?

The Project will use, where appropriate, new technology known as trenchless or ‘No - Dig’, which is less intrusive to the community than alternative methods. With ‘No - Dig’ technology there is less cause for long lengths of trench and deep excavation thus leading to less disruption. Northern Ireland Water is committed to using this latest technology to achieve the improvements to its services while simultaneously minimising impact on the community from the associated construction works.

The Belfast Sewers Project is being undertaken in accordance with best available construction practices.

How much will it cost?

Expenditure of £100 million has been earmarked for the Belfast Sewers Project alone. However, the Project is only one of over 300 water and sewerage projects the Northern Ireland Water will be undertaking across Northern Ireland. Up to 2006, Northern Ireland Water plans to invest a massive £590 million to upgrade the water and wastewater infrastructure.

Where does the money come from?

Spending on water and sewerage infrastructure is a major government priority. One of over 300 projects that Northern Ireland Water is implementing, the Belfast Sewers Project is funded through the Reform and Reinvestment Initiative (RRI), which was created by the Northern Ireland Assembly and the HM Treasury in May 2002.

Will I be inconvenienced?

Given the scope and scale of this major project , which is one of the biggest infrastructure investments in Belfast, there will inevitability be some inconvenience in the form of traffic disruption, although every effort will be made to minimise impact.

How long will the Project take?

The Project will take almost 7 years to complete with repair works starting in late autumn 2004 and tunnelling work commencing during summer 2005.

Who is responsible for implementing the programme?

Northern Ireland Water will have prime responsibility for the Belfast Sewers Project. Its appointed Project Manager is Atkins Consultants Ltd a well recognised engineering consultancy established in Belfast.

Contractors for the construction works have yet to be confirmed. However, it is scheduled that the contractors for the sewer repair works will be in place during September 2004 whilst the tunnelling contractor will be engaged during May 2005.

How will the contractors/Northern Ireland Water communicate the main activities involved in the programme?

Open channels of communication will be maintained throughout the Project through regular meetings, presentations and information literature. Northern Ireland Water will also have an ongoing media relations programme to keep the public informed of progress.
A dedicated programme of Community Relations will keep the local community fully briefed as the scheme rolls out and of any disruptions or inconvenience which may occur for them during the construction period.

When will this be happening?

Clear communications procedures will be established with the contractors for the repairs of the sewerage system during September 2004. These will stay in place until the conclusion of the sewer repairs programme in 2010.
Similarly communications procedures will be established for the construction of the tunnel system later this year in 2004.

Will it affect emergency services?

Northern Ireland Water and its contractors are committed to keeping the emergency services fully informed of where and when project work is taking place through an ongoing consultation process.

Will the quality of my water be affected during the process?

No. The quality of the water supply to householders and industry will not be affected by the Belfast Sewers Project.

Are there any environmental issues likely to arise from the sewerage replacement programme?

Northern Ireland Water operates an in-house Environmental Management System. It provides clear guidance to all personnel, contractors and suppliers of their responsibilities in managing and implementing works with respect to the general environment. Further, it is Northern Ireland Water policy that only Contractors with environmental accreditation to ISO14001 are employed on a project of this scale.

Are there any particular areas of risk anticipated during roll out?

Northern Ireland Water and its Project Manager, Atkins, will ensure that all works and associated procedures will strictly adhere to all health and safety, and environmental standards.

What happens if Northern Ireland Water discovers contaminated land during excavation?

A full investigation of ground conditions is being carried out to ensure that there are no surprises during excavation works for the tunnel system. However if such an event does occur, then Northern Ireland Water and the Project Manager will ensure that the appropriate environmental procedures are implemented to ensure the safety of the public and local residents, which is of paramount importance.

Will the Belfast Sewers Project cure the issues of flooding within Belfast?

The new tunnel system to be constructed will significantly improve protection against flooding within the Belfast Catchment during periods of heavy rainfall. The tunnel system has been designed to meet the highest flooding standards which have been adopted for all major urban and city areas and has been designed to accommodate a severe storm event which, from statistical records, occurs only once every 30 years on average.

Who do I contact for further details?

Please contact Waterline on 08457 440088 and quote “Belfast Sewers Project” or text-phone 08457 023206. Details of the project can also be found on the Northern Ireland Water website http://www.waterni.gov.uk/ .