Durkan welcomes sustained improvement in sewerage works discharges

08 July 2014 15:47

Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, today welcomed the news that Northern Ireland Water (NIW) continued to outperform its environmental compliance target set by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation.

Compliance by our major sewerage works which need to comply with European Directives, is at an all time high with 98% complying.

In publishing today the Water Utility Regulation Summary Report 2013.  Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan said: “There has been a sustained improvement with compliance of discharges from wastewater treatment works, especially the key ones that need to meet European directives. Compliance with the Directive has improved from 86% in 2007 to 98% in 2013.

“This sustained performance is a direct result of investment through the upgrading of existing and, where required, new treatment works facilities.

“But we cannot be complacent.  Compliance for all wastewater treatment works has increased from 84% in 2007 to 93% in 2012. Although there has been a slight drop in compliance to 92% in 2013 this is still a very high standard and NIW continues to outperform its 2013 target set by the Utility Regulator.

“We do though need to continue to do more, and I expect further improvements in compliance in the future.”