NI Water recently presented to Council representatives with important updates on investment in the area and highlighted areas where wastewater capacity constraints are impacting new development and the economy within the Borough.

An overview was provided of key PC21 investments being progressed such as the £5 million Northern Water Resilience Zone Project, the £4.2 million Caugh Hill Water Treatment Works improvements, the £3.5 million Corrody Service Reservoir to Creggan Service Reservoir (SR) Transmission Main Replacement, the £4 million Limavady Catchment Upgrade to Address New Development & External Flooding and £9 million investment in Kilrea wastewater treatment works.

Investment, economic and development constraints were the key themes throughout the presentation. The current reductions in allocated capital and operating budgets during the current 6-year business planning period, Price Control 21 (PC21) and for 2025/26 have had a significant impact in the Council area, and NI Water warned this is set to continue.

At the presentation Dr Stephen Blockwell, Head of Investment Management with NI Water, emphasised that all eyes must be focussed on the forthcoming next Price Control period for NI Water (PC28). A fully funded NI Water over the next series of Price Controls is the only way for wastewater infrastructure to recover from decades of underinvestment and support economic development.

Dr Blockwell commented: “A fully funded NI Water is essential for it to provide critical infrastructure to underpin the Council’s goals for housing, economic growth and environmental protection. Without urgent change to the wastewater system Northern Ireland and this Council faces persistent and worsening pollution and reduced attractiveness for investors and slower business development.”

Further information can be found at: https://www.niwater.com/capacity-information/

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Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com