O’Dowd secures funding to unlock water connections for 2,300 properties
Date published:
Funding secured by Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd means 2,300 new properties can now have water and sewerage connections.
The new connections – which span across five council areas – have been made possible as a direct result of the Minister providing NI Water with an additional £19.5million of ring-fenced funding.
Minister O’Dowd said:
“Along with my Executive colleagues, I am committed to playing my part in addressing the challenges of housing supply across the North.
“As a direct result of October monitoring, when I ring-fenced £19.5million for NI Water, I am pleased to confirm that the investment will lead to some 2,300 new properties being able to connect to the water and sewerage infrastructure.
“This is good news for communities and businesses across counties Antrim, Derry and Tyrone. I’d like to thank NI Water for working in a constructive and positive manner to deliver this essential infrastructure and we will continue to work together to find innovative solutions in the months and years ahead.
“As we continue to seek fairer funding and investment in our services after 14 years of underfunding and austerity by the British Government, I will continue to make the case for additional funding for essential public services to enable the upgrade and modernisation of vital infrastructure.”
Jo Aston, Chair of NI Water said: "We are delighted to welcome the funding secured by Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd, through the Department for Infrastructure's 'Monitoring Round'. This investment will help to address current development constraints. With this £19.5million of new funding we can now enable connections to over 2,300 new properties across five council areas in line with principles shared with water regulatory bodies. This positive development will not only support much needed housing supply, but also contribute to the growth and prosperity of our local communities. NI Water remains committed to working collaboratively to find innovative solutions to the constraints being faced and ensure the delivery of vital infrastructure."
Notes to editors:
- The five council areas benefitting from £19.5million ring-fenced investment are:
- Belfast City Council - 1,200 properties - £7million investment in Upper Falls WwTW Stormwater Storage
- Derry City & Strabane District Council – 350 properties - £2.1million investment in Faughan Crescent Pumping Station
- Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council – 350 properties £0.5million investment in Park Manor Pumping Station
- Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council - 150 propoerties £0.5million investment in Templepatrick phase on Antrim Drainage project
- Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council – 250 properties - £7.4million investment in Mill Road CSO
- Mid Ulster District Council –10 properties - £2.8million investment in Cabragh WwTW
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