Newcastle Pumping Stations To Be Upgraded

NI Water is to carry out extensive upgrades at Harbour and Blackrock Wastewater Pumping Stations (WwPS) as part of its multi-million pound Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Scheme.

The two pumping stations, which are in close proximity to Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works, will receive a complete overhaul with new electrical, pumping and odour control equipment.

In agreement with Down District Council, hoarding was recently erected around the Harbour WwPS– located on South Promenade, with construction work getting underway this week. Access to the adjacent Council-owned public convenience facilities will not be affected by the work which is due for completion in June.

The upgrades at Blackrock WwPS - located in Blackrock Car Park, adjacent to the Rock Pool – are programmed to get underway next week after the St. Patrick's bank holiday weekend. Due to the location of the pumping station and in order to carry out the work at Blackrock in the safest possible manner, NI Water’s contractor, Dawson-Wam Ovivo will have to close the car park for the duration of the contract, as Kieran Grant, NI Water's project manager explained: "The upgrades at Blackrock Pumping Station will involve the installation of additional and much larger pumps. This in itself means that extensive civil construction work has to be undertaken in preparation for the pumps going in to place. To facilitate the safe movement of construction traffic and personnel around the site and in order to safeguard the personal safety of the public, Down District Council has kindly agreed to NI Water's request to close the car park at Blackrock while construction work is ongoing.


"NI Water has been liaising with local residents and patrons of the adjacent Annesley Hall with regards to the work that has to be undertaken and has tried to programme the upgrades so as not to affect spring productions of the Newcastle Glee Singers, whilst being able to complete the work ahead of the busy summer tourist season. We have therefore scheduled the work to get underway after the St.Patrick’s bank holiday weekend, which will allow the 14-week construction period to be completed by the end of June."

(CD)