£2m work progresses with Lough Island Reavy upgrade

£2m work progresses with Lough Island Reavy upgrade

21 August 2024

WORK on a £2m investment to upgrade Lough Island Reavy outside Castlewellan is progressing well with the scheme involving the replacement of the overflow spillway, which ensures the safety of the reservoir, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.

The news has been confirmed by Northern Ireland Water which has also confirmed that site investigation works is underway to examine parts of the wastewater network in Castlewellan and Annsborough.

Engineers are working to establish if any sections of the so-called combined system can be separated to remove storm water flows and discharge it directly to a designated watercourse to help prevent the network from becoming overloaded.

At Lough Island Reavy there are two pumping stations which serve Drumaroad and Fofanny Water Treatment Works.

The £2m works programme will ensure increased supply and support to the pumping station which serves the Drumaroad plant which supplies water to customers across Co Down and Belfast. 

Currently – during periods of high-water demand – the water supply from the reservoir limits the flow to both water treatment works. 

But, once the improvements are completed, this scheme will ensure supply to both plants is not restricted with the work due to be completed on site by March next year.

Mark Richardson, NI Water senior project manager, said the company is committed to the highest standards of reservoir safety and management.

“We are progressing with this key programme of maintenance and refurbishment work at Lough Island Reavy to future-proof this impounding reservoir, which plays a critical role in the storage of raw water for future supply to our customers,” he explained.

“The overall programme of work, which involves improvements at 36 key reservoirs across the province, is essential to maintain water supply as well as ensuring compliance with reservoir safety legislation.”

Mr Richardson said security of supply is key and the improvements will be particularly important to deliver additional water to our customers during a high demand or other extreme weather emergency situation.”

NI Water said the overall programme of reservoir improvements will enhance components of the reservoirs, including refurbishment of control valves, installation of drainage, repairs to spillway structures and improvements to monitoring equipment  to ensure the safe and appropriate management of the reservoirs.

The essential improvement work is being carried out by BSG and project managed by AECOM.

Meanwhile, the investigation probe in Castlewellan and Annsborough is expected to be completed next month.

Investigations being carried out by BSG Civil Engineering have started in the Newcastle Road area of Castlewellan and will involve digging small trial holes at different locations under short, localised lane closures. 

The series of investigations have been carefully planned to ensure any works in town centre locations are completed ahead of the new school term commencing.

NI Water’s senior project manager, Sean Milligan, explained the works are being carried out to determine the condition of the existing sewerage network and establish how we can reduce the pressure on the network.

“The initial exploration works – which will also highlight problems in the network – will involve the digging of small trial holes in the following areas during late August and early September.”

In addition to the Newcastle Road, investigations are being carried out at Clarmont Avenue, Wood Grove and Burrenwood Road, Annsborough Park, Ballylough Road, Mill Hill, Circular Road, St Malachy’s Crescent, St Malachy’s Drive and Main Street.

Mr Milligan said while each trial hole will be excavated and reinstated within one day, in most areas a series of three or four trial holes will be required. 

“This may involve a short lane closure or a road closure where the road is particularly narrow. Localised traffic management will be implemented around any working area and parking restrictions and pedestrian management may also be required. Our contractor will maintain access for residents and businesses while works are ongoing,” he said.

Normal working hours will be between 9.30am and 4.30pm, but NI Water says it may be necessary on occasions for work to be undertaken outside of these hours. 

“We would remind the public that all construction sites are dangerous areas for unauthorised persons, especially children, and we would appreciate the co-operation of the public in ensuring that children do not play in or around any site or machinery,” said Mr Milligan.

“The public is advised to stay away from working areas for their own safety.”

He added: “We assure you that we will strive to keep disruption to a minimum and complete the investigations in the shortest possible timeframe. We will advise of any improvement works which may be required as a result of these investigations in the future.”