The Belfast Sewers Project is a £100 million scheme by Northern Ireland Water which
will provide Belfast with a modern sewerage system designed to manage
its present and future needs.
The need for the project
Many of Belfast`s existing sewers date back to the Victorian era.
The sewer system needs modernising to enable it to cope with increasing
demands placed upon it by building developments.
Over time, the sewers have become more and more overloaded during heavy rain which has resulted in flooding and the pollution of urban streams and rivers.
The solution
Since 2005, Northern Ireland Water has refurbished some 500 sewers in the Greater Belfast area,
by repairing and replacing pipes that have been used for over 100 years.
Modern construction techniques have helped to minimise the need for open trenches and reduce traffic disruption.
The new sewerage system
In 2006 Northern Ireland Water started construction of the new sewerage system:
a new 9.4 kilometre stormwater tunnel 30 meters under
the streets of Belfast, stretching from Cromac Street to the
Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works at Duncrue Street
smaller connecting tributary tunnels
starting at Glenmachan Street, Park Road and Queen`s Quay
at Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works
the flows in the tunnel will discharge into a major new terminal pumping station, capable of pumping up to 4,000 gallons per second and will provide a
key role in the management of the stormwater that currently enters the city`s combined storm and
wastewater sewerage system.
Working with local people
Northern Ireland Water will work closely
to minimise disruption to local communities and traffic as the tunnelling project develops
traffic disruption and noise will be kept to the minimum through
the use of state-of-the-art tunnelling equipment and construction
methods
regular updates on progress will be provided to local people
The benefits
The Belfast Sewers Project will deliver significant benefits for the local environment by:
improving the quality of water in the River Lagan and its tributaries, and
reducing the risk of flooding throughout the Greater Belfast area.
Further information
Further Information on the Belfast Sewers Project is available on the
Northern Ireland Water website at www.niwater.com or by contacting Waterline at 084 5744 0088.
Home
