Sewage scheme is vital for housing

Sewage scheme is vital for housing

12 November 2025

AN £8m investment to upgrade the wastewater treatment in the Annsborough and Castlewellan 

areas paves the way for 800 new homes to be connected to the sewage system.

The treatment works, located off Station Road in Annsborough, is being upgraded to ensure that it can maintain compliance with the latest environmental consents.

The multi-million-pound NI Water investment will also be used to improve parts of the associated wastewater network in both Annsborough and Castlewellan.

The existing treatment works was constructed in 2008 and to ensure the key asset can continue to operate effectively and meet current environmental discharge consents, various elements within the treatment facility need to be replaced.

The £8m upgrade includes civil construction activities as well as mechanical and electrical installations, with the work being carried out in phases over two years, ensuring that the treatment works remains operational.

NI Water has confirmed the improvements at Annsborough will be supported by a series of network upgrades planned for the village and neighbouring Castlewellan.

Last week, Stormont infrastructure minister, Liz Kimmins, was in Annsborough to view progress being made.

She met with Sinn Fein colleagues South Down MP Chris Hazzard and Cathy Mason MLA.

Mr Hazzard welcomed confirmation that the multi-million pound investment will create capacity for the delivery of 800 new homes in the Castlewellan area.

“This is a positive boost for the Castlewellan area and will help create the capacity for hundreds of new homes to connect to in the future,” he said.

“Upgrading our wastewater system, which has suffered for years due to British government cuts, is a priority for Sinn Féin.”

Mrs Mason said the £8m investment demonstrates her party’s commitment to delivering solutions for our public infrastructure.

She added: “I look forward to continuing to work alongside Minister Kimmins to deliver further upgrades to wastewater system across South Down.”