Disclaimer:

The wastewater system capacity information provided by Council area (for WwTW >250 population equivalent) in this document is subject to change. This may happen as a result of more detailed information becoming available through the completion of Drainage Area Studies, on-site investigations, or the completion of capital works.

NI Water remains committed to working with developers to consider ways of accommodating development wherever possible. The phasing of development is of high importance going forwards due to the historic and prolonged under investment in wastewater infrastructure across Northern Ireland.

Developers should always use the pre-development enquiry (PDE) process and follow NI Water’s three stage pre-planning process. PDEs are valid for an 18-month period from issue. Should formal approval to make connections to the public water and sewerage networks not have been granted by NI Water within this timescale, a further PDE request will be required. This is to ensure that the capacity identified in the original PDE as being available to serve this proposal still exists.

In areas subject to capacity constraints NI Water can consider the provision of positive planning responses where developers can demonstrate (including calculations):

1. Like for like development.
2. Extant previously approved development (where NI Water has given a positive response).
3. Pre engagement with NI Water through the wastewater impact assessment process to identify a no detriment solution for the development.

*All investments/upgrades detailed for completion during the PC21 period (2021/22 to 2026/27) are subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the programming and funding the delivery of the capital works programme during the remainder of the PC21 Price Control Period.

Due to emerging issues, it is also possible that some re-prioritisation of the investment programme may take place, and this would be agreed with NI Water’s regulators.

Please note that only treatment works without available capacity are listed. The asterisk (*) denotes treatment works that are currently scheduled for investment or upgrades. This list provides an overview of wastewater treatment works specific to each council area.

Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council

There are currently no wastewater treatment works with capacity issues within the council area.

The upgrade of the Whitehouse Wastewater Treatment Works (Water Framework Directive water quality improvement driver) is currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period. This will be subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024/25 – 2026/27). 

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Antrim, Ballyclare, Whitehouse & Creagh wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

 

Ards & North Down Borough Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity:

Name

Cloughey WwTW

Killinchy WwTW*

*NI Water WwTW upgrades Scheduled for PC21 Delivery.

Upgrades of the Kinnegar & Killinchy Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewerage network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Ballyhalbert Victoria, Ballyrickard, Ballywalter, Cloughey, Greyabbey, Killinchy, Kinnegar, Kircubbin, North Down, Portaferry and Seahill wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

 

Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity:

Name

Blackwatertown WwTW

Darkley WwTW

Lawrencetown WwTW

Markethill WwTW*

Moneyslane WwTW

Monteith WwTW

Mountnorris WwTW

Moy WwTW*

Poyntzpass WwTW

Rathfriland Drumlough WwTW

Robinsonstown WwTW*

Tamnamore WwTW

Waringstown WwTW*

*NI Water WwTW upgrades Scheduled for PC21 Delivery.

Upgrades of the Dromore, Markethill, Moy (in Mid Ulster), Robinsonstown & Waringstown Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Armagh City, Ballynacorr, Dromore, Gilford, Markethill, Mountnorris, Moy, Rathfriland Drumlough, Richhill, Tandragee and Waringstown wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

Belfast City Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity:

Name

Edenderry Belfast WwTW

 

Upgrades of the Belfast, Kinnegar (Ards & North Down) & Whitehouse (Antrim & Newtownabbey) Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of Belfast (Glenmachan sub catchment), Kinnegar (Sydenham sub catchment), Newtownbreda, Whitehouse and Dunmurry wastewater catchments. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

 

Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity:

Name

Armoy Bush WwTW

Carrowclare WwTW

Clarehill WwTW

Dervock WwTW

Mosside Ballymoney WwTW

Stranocum WwTW

 

Upgrades of the Aghanloo & Kilrea Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewerage network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Ballycastle, Bushmills, Cushendall, Dungiven, Garvagh, Glenstall, Kilrea, Limavady, North Coast, Magilligan and Rasharkin wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

Derry City & Strabane District Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity:

Name

Clady Tyrone WwTW

Douglas Bridge WwTW

Base maintenance works at Culmore Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed within the PC21 Price Control period to ensure the continued efficient operation of the works, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Ardmore, Artigarvan, Ballymagorry, Campsey, Castlederg, Culmore, Derry City, Donemana, Drumahoe, Eglinton, Lettershendoney, Newtownstewart, Magheramason, Maydown, Newbuildings, Sion Mills, Strabane and Strathfoyle wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

 

Fermanagh & Omagh District Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity:

Name

Belleek Fermanagh WwTW**

Beragh WwTW

Castle Archdale WwTW

Drumquin WwTW

Ederney WwTW

Florencecourt WwTW

Garrison South WwTW**

Gortin WwTW

Irvinestown WwTW

Lough Macrory South WwTW*

Newtownbutler WwTW

Seskinore WwTW

Teemore WwTW

*NI Water WwTW upgrades Scheduled for PC21 Delivery. Upgrades of the Lough Macrory, Monea, Mountfield & Tamlaght Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

** NI Water WwTW upgrades Scheduled under EU Peace Plus program NI Water has proposals to upgrade the Belleek and Garrison WwTWs during the PC21 period under the Peace Plus program. However, the delivery of these projects is also dependent on the confirmation of funding through this programme, as well as successful land acquisition (where appropriate) and statutory approvals.

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Altamuskin, Belleek, Ballinamallard, Carrickmore, Derrygonnelly, Dromore, Enniskillen, Irvinestown, Lisbellaw and Omagh wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity:

Name

Drumbeg WwTW

Glenavy WwTW

Ravernet WwTW

 

Upgrades of the Dromara, Kinnegar (Ards & North Down) & Whitehouse (Antrim & Newtownabbey) Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Lisburn, Moneyreagh, Annahilt, Dromara, Dunmurry, Raverent, Glenavy, Newtownbreda, Maghaberry and Kinnegar wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council       

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity: 

Name

Clogh WwTW

Greenisland WwTW*

Larne WwTW*

Martinstown WwTW

Moorfields WwTW

Mullaghboy Islandmagee WwTW

*NI Water WwTW upgrades Scheduled for PC21 Delivery.

Upgrades of the Carrickfergus, Greenisland, Grange (Taylorstown) and Larne Wastewater Treatment Works (Investment will span PC21 & PC27) are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Ballymena, Ballycarry, Carrickfergus, Greenisland, Larne, Portglenone, Tully Road (Carnlough & Glenarm), Whitehead/Ballystrudder/Ballycarry wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

Mid Ulster District Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity: 

Name

Augher Blackwater WwTW

Aughnacloy WwTW

Bellaghy WwTW*

Cabragh WwTW*

Clogher WwTW*

Desertmartin WwTW

Dungannon WwTW*

Dunnamore WwTW

Eglish Dungannon WwTW

Fivemiletown WwTW

Killeen Dungannon WwTW

Killygonlan WwTW*

Killymuck WwTW

Moneymore WwTW

Moy WwTW*

Redford WwTW

Tamnamore WwTW

The Loup WwTW

 

*NI Water WwTW upgrades Scheduled for PC21 Delivery.

Upgrades of the Ballygawley, Ballyronan, Bellaghy, Cabragh, Clogher, Derrycrin, Dungannon, Killygonlan, Pomeroy, Moy & Stewartstown Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Ballyronan, Bellaghy, Cookstown, Creagh, Draperstown, Donaghmore, Dungannon, Maghera, Magherafelt, Moy & Portglenone wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

 

Newry, Mourne & Down District Council

The following wastewater treatment works within the council area do not have any available capacity: 

Name

Clough East WwTW

Cranfield WwTW

Drumaness WwTW*

Glasdrumman Annalong WwTW

Hilltown WwTW

Lurganare WwTW

Maghera Down WwTW

Meigh WwTW*

Mountnorris WwTW

*NI Water WwTW upgrades Scheduled for PC21 Delivery.

Upgrades of the Newry, Downpatrick, Annsborough, Drumaness, Newcastle & Meigh Wastewater Treatment Works are currently programmed to be completed within the PC21 Price Control period, subject to all statutory approvals being in place, land acquisition (where appropriate), and the availability of funding. NI Water is working closely with the Department for Infrastructure on the funding required to facilitate the delivery of our capital investment programme for the remainder of the PC21 Price Control period (2024 – 2027).

NI Water's sewer network capacity mapping tool and sewer network modelling activities have identified capacity issues in parts of the Annsborough, Ballynahinch, Cranfield, Downpatrick, Dundrum, Kilkeel, Maghera (Down), Newry & Saintfield wastewater networks. As a result, negative planning responses may be provided by NI Water in parts of these catchments.

 

Information on Closed Catchments

In addition to the capacity constraints detailed above, NI Water has also identified 34 areas of our sewage network in 23 towns where developer funded solutions are no longer possible to achieve a connection to the sewer network. This means that the Wastewater Impact Assessment process in these areas is no longer able to provide a solution that a developer can implement.

However, we will continue to support developments in these area where it can be proved that: -

• The site has extant planning with no conditions relating to capacity constraints or
• The site is a redevelopment and there is no intensification of foul sewage discharge post development compared to the sewage discharge from the site within the last 5 years.

In Table 1  the towns are listed within which these 34 areas are located. For all proposed sites in these areas, developers should in the first instance continue to apply through our pre-development enquiry process and we will advise next steps.

Please note that the closed areas will not cover all of these towns and NI will continue to consider each planning application on a case-by-case basis depending on the location within the catchment.

Table 1

In the map the approximate area of the NI Water network within these 23 towns is presented:

Date of publication –       October 2024

Important Notes:

The Information depicted in the above map is for guidance purposes only and is the best available information at the time of publishing. It is subject to change, which may happen as a result of more detailed information becoming available through the completion of Drainage Area Study models, on-site investigations, or the completion of capital works.

The information should not be relied upon to conclude that a new connection to the wastewater network can be facilitated outside of these areas and should never be used to make planning or investment decisions.

While the ‘pink’ areas displayed identify ‘closed areas’, within our wastewater network where new connections cannot be facilitated (subject to exceptions listed above), there are other areas of the NI Water wastewater system that are also subject to capacity constraints. However, within those areas it may be possible to identify a bespoke drainage solution through the Wastewater Impact Assessment process. Any solution identified through this process would be developer led and funded.

NI Water should always be contacted directly for the most up to date advice on water and wastewater capacity issues by Councils and Developers.