NIW plans waste water improvements

Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has set out plans to invest more than £577 million in improvements to drinking water quality and waste water services.

The government-owned utility company intends to ramp up expenditure in these areas to make sure it complies with strict EU guidelines on waste water treatment, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

As well as £577.5 million in capital investment, £615.4 million has been earmarked by NIW for operating costs over the next three years.

These totals form part of the Price Control 2010 (PC10) agreement the firm has made with the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation.

"We look forward to working with NI Water to deliver on these targets in the interests of consumers," said utility regulator Iain Osborne.

Laurence MacKenzie, chief executive of NIW, told the newspaper the PC10 settlement represents "a significant challenge for the organisation".

Earlier this year, NIW completed the £160 million Belfast sewers project, which was launched to improve water quality in the River Lagan and Blackstaff River.

Posted by Lauren Steadman