What a 'Quacking' Home!
2 September 2010
’Toilet duck’ has a very different meaning at NI Water’s Dunmurry Wastewater Treatment Works, home to a family of ducks living in the final effluent tank.
The Works, which is currently undergoing a £5 million upgrade, was previously home to two families of ducks; however, one of the families has relocated to the nearby Glen River. The remaining family built their home in the final effluent tank, highlighting the quality and purity of the water after treatment before release into the River Lagan.
With the Treatment Works currently under construction, one of the ducklings living in the Glen River had a narrow escape when it got stuck in a tank which was due for demolition.
Rescuers Nicky Hill and Frank Quinn explain:
“With the Works currently under construction, we were about to demolish an old disused tank when we discovered the duckling trapped inside. Given our previous experiences of rescuing wildlife including swans and buzzards, we knew we had to try to rescue this duckling which couldn’t even fly yet. We managed to get it out and return it to its family at the Glen River.
“The family of ducks around the works are like colleagues now, you see them everyday and they are actually helping us by eating the algae which forms in the last treatment process before the final effluent is discharged in the River Lagan. We just hope the construction work doesn’t scare them away.”
This duckling isn’t the only wildlife the guys have rescued. In the past, they have helped an injured buzzard, numerous swans and in a Treatment Works in Hollywood, they rescued a seal and a small dolphin! Looks like a day in the life of a sewage worker is more interesting than previously thought!
2 x Educators x 8,000 Miles x 11,000 Children = Gold Star For The Waterbus
2 September 2010
NI Water’s travelling classroom, the Waterbus, has received a gold star after 3 years of visiting 208 schools, travelling 8,000 miles and teaching over 11,000 children about the “Wonderful World of Water”.
With a new set of wheels and a pre school clean, the Waterbus is aiming to start the new school year by exceeding these figures as it is already booked right up until next summer!
As well as the bus, there are a number of other exciting initiatives under the H2O education programme. NI Water’s Education Team will be busy delivering their extensive classroom education programme teaching three main topics, Water for Health, The Water Cycle, and Water Conservation. In addition the Team runs two Education Centers : The Heritage Centre, Belfast and Silent Valley Mountain Park.
NI Water’s Education Manager Jane Jackson, discusses:
“We have a busy time ahead as the Waterbus is fully booked until the end of the school year. We are delighted our visits to schools and Silent Valley are in such high demand.
“NI Water places great importance on educating young people in the vital role water plays in our lives. This is a rewarding job, as the children will take home the messages of saving water around the house and develop good habits such as only putting pee, poo and paper, the 3 P’s, down the loo.
"H2O is a fun way for children to learn about the water cycle, why clean water is essential for good health and how they can help to conserve this precious resource.”
NI Water is delighted with the positive feedback received from schools over the last three years of the H20 programme. This programme is a great way to interact with the local community and educate future generations of water users.
Sewer Improvement Scheme to Commence in September
31 August 2010
NI Water will start essential sewer improvement work in September in the Giant’s Causeway/Aird area. The work, which represents an investment of £400,000 by NI Water, will involve the installation of a new storm sewer to serve the National Trust Visitors Centre at the Giant’s Causeway. It also includes the construction of a new Sewage Pumping Station and sewers to rationalise the sewerage network in the Causeway/Aird area. The work is scheduled to be completed by April 2011.
This essential work will help meet Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) compliance standards for Coastal Waters and will enhance the existing sewerage system to meet future growth and new development in the area.
NI Water and contractors Lagan Construction would like to assure the public that everything will be done to minimise disruption while this essential work is completed.
Associated traffic and pedestrian management systems will be in place to allow the works to be completed in a safe environment. All diversions will be sign posted and NI Water will liaise with Roads Service, PSNI traffic management and Moyle District Council about the work.
Any queries should be directed to our customer relations centre via Waterline on 08457 440088.
Ends
All media enquiries to NI Water Press Office on 028 9035 4710 or email press.office@niwater.com
Statement by Padraic White, Interim Chairman of NI Water Board
27 August 2010
Statement by Padraic White, Interim Chairman of NI Water Board
“The non-executive directors of the interim board of NI Water met today informally with our CEO to be brought up to speed with NI Water affairs in advance of our board meeting in September.
“In particular, we wanted to be brought up to date with the implementation of the Independent Review Team (IRT) recommendations on procurement and we are generally pleased with the progress made.
“Based on everything we’ve seen and the impressive track record and achievements of the CEO, we’re happy to give him our full support and look forward to working with him in the time ahead as CEO of NI Water.
“We will continue to expedite the implementation of the IRT recommendations as we await the report of the Public Accounts Committee into these matters. And of course our own internal disciplinary procedures relating to the findings of the IRT report must be allowed to run their course without prejudice.
“We’re impressed by the admirable efforts of our 1300-plus team in delivering the cleanest and highest-quality water on the island of Ireland to the public and in providing improved sewage treatment services. Our resolve is to improve the delivery of our services while continuing the biggest infrastructural investment ever in our operations in the time ahead — amounting to £1m a day over the past three years.”
ENDS
Come with your family, bring a picnic and chill out !
