The £4.2 million project, completed last year, involved the upgrade and modernisation of critical water and wastewater infrastructure on Foyle Street in Derry/Londonderry, delivering significant environmental, operational and community benefits while helping support future development in the city centre.
The judging panel praised the project, describing it as:
"An outstanding example of a motivated and collaborative team delivering the replacement of a Victorian sewer by a separate gravity foul and storm sewage system, to client's and stakeholder satisfaction, ensuring climate resilience and carbon savings. A small scheme delivered well."
The BCIA Awards are among the most respected accolades in the construction and infrastructure sector, recognising excellence in project delivery and celebrating schemes that create lasting benefits for communities, stakeholders and the environment.
NI Water Project Manager, Kieran Grant added:
"We are delighted that the Foyle Street Network Upgrades Project has received this prestigious industry recognition. This award reflects the commitment, collaboration and expertise demonstrated by the entire project team throughout the delivery of what was a complex and challenging scheme in the heart of Derry city centre.
"I would like to congratulate our contractor BSG PHACE, our design partner ARUP, and all of our stakeholders, including Derry City and Strabane District Council, Translink, Department for Communities and the City Centre Initiative, for their invaluable support.
“Stakeholder engagement with local businesses and the wider community was fundamental to the success of this project, which has undoubtedly delivered important long-term benefits for the city, reducing the risk of out-of-sewer flooding, improving network resilience and supporting future growth and development in the local area."
Jim Roddy, City Centre Initiative, added:
"Congratulations to everyone involved in delivering this award-winning project.
“The Foyle Street project team delivered a project in a very challenging environment in an exemplar fashion. All the challenges were dealt with promptly and the area was re-opened for Christmas, finishing ahead of schedule!
“The views of the traders were taken on board and we were delighted the art project was completed as well as the provision of a public access defibrillator, leaving a lasting legacy of the project.”
Over 130 site operatives, including apprentices, placement students and engineering trainees, were employed throughout the project, which involved the upgrade of the 100-year-old water and wastewater infrastructure between Shipquay Place and Water Street.
Clocking up almost 34,000 manhours, the workforce successfully installed 400 metres of dedicated stormwater sewer and a new foul sewer to separate this section of the combined system, alongside 170 metres of new watermain. More than 50 property connections on Foyle Street were also upgraded, helping to completely modernise the water and wastewater network in this key part of the city.
The award is a testament to the collaborative efforts of all project partners and highlights NI Water's continued commitment to delivering sustainable, resilient infrastructure that benefits customers, communities and the environment.
Ends
Notes to editors:
- The British Construction & Infrastructure Awards is organised by New Civil Engineer, part of emap, and the Institution of Civil Engineers. For more information about New Civil Engineer, see www.newcivilengineer.com For more details about the Institution of Civil Engineers, see www.ice.org.uk
- The awards attracted over 300 entries and the Foyle Street project beat off stiff competition from eight other UK finalists
- Foyle Street was also shortlisted as a finalist in the Water Project category, alongside Aghanloo Wastewater Treatment Works.
- Link to winners section of website: https://bcia.newcivilengineer.com/bcia2026/en/page/2026-winners
For further information, please email press.office@niwater.com