Completion of £9m scheme at Fofanny treatment plant

Completion of £9m scheme at Fofanny treatment plant

6 December 2023

WORK on a £9m scheme to improve the security of the water supply for around 76,000 customers in large parts of Co Down has been completed at the Fofanny treatment works near Bryansford.

Contractors began work on the multi-million pound project in March last year which involved building a 10 million litre storage tank which is equivalent to four Olympic size swimming pools or 50,000 baths.

The upgrade will provide additional water supply to customers, particularly during high demand emergency situations, when NI Water may need additional time to shut down the main plant at the Fofanny treatment works while planned maintenance to the water supply network is completed.

Tzvetelina Bogoina, NI Water’s Director of Infrastructure Delivery, said the organisation is delighted to announce the completion of this major investment at Fofanny.

“It will bring many improvements to our customers including improved security of the local water supply,” she explained.

“This £9m investment will make a real difference to customers in parts of Co Down. It is a good example of what can be done when the necessary funding is in place, highlighting the importance of this critical infrastructure and continued investment in our water and wastewater services.”

Tzvetelina thanked the NI Water project team including contractor Graham’s and RPS, who provided project management and technical support. 

“The team successfully completed the new tank, while ensuring our customers water supply wasn’t interrupted during construction. This major project will provide improved local water supply for many years to come,” she added.

Graham contracts manager, Ciaran Moohan, said the company was delighted to have delivered the Fofanny project with the RPS Group and its supply chain.

“This was a complex project in a scenic and rural setting which presented many challenges for our design team AECOM and TES, along with the construction crew on-site,” he explained.

“A great achievement for the team – which will provide improved water supply in the local area.”

Newry, Mourne and Down Council vice-chairman, Cllr Gareth Sharvin, said the authority welcomes this major investment in the area, which will mean a more robust and resilient water supply for local people. 

He added: “The project also provided a boost to the local construction sector, with the appointment of locally based contractor GRAHAM and other local businesses throughout the supply chain.”

Areas that will benefit from the new clear water tank at Fofanny include Castlewellan, Kilkeel, Rathfriland, Dromore, Newry, and Warrenpoint.