NI Water has spent more than £23 million over five years to upgrade its sewer network across Northern Ireland. The work repaired over 30km of sewers in locations from Banbridge to Bushmills, Donaghadee to Derrylin.

Contractors GEDA Construction and AG Wilson Civil Engineering carried out the programme. They used trenchless methods to reline pipes through manholes and limit disruption. Much of the relining occurred at night to avoid affecting schools and businesses.

NI Water Senior Project Manager Robert McLean stated that teams identify priority areas using CCTV surveys, blockage records, and flooding history. Relining creates a new pipe inside the old one to reinforce the network.

About one-quarter of the funds went to reactive repairs for bursts or collapses, handled by WSP and AG Wilson Civil Engineering. The programme included 41,782 metres of CCTV investigations, 22,708 metres of trenchless rehabilitation, 590.3 metres of sewer replacement, and 450 metres of new sewer installation.

Work took place in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry, Enniskillen, Omagh, and dozens of other sites. McLean credited teams from AECOM, WSP, GEDA Construction, and AG Wilson Civil Engineering for safe and efficient delivery.

NI Water advises flushing only pee, poo, and paper, and binning fats, oils, and grease. Residents should use PSNI Quickcheck on 101 to verify callers and keep children from construction sites.