NI Water operates 69 solar installations across its water and wastewater treatment plants in Northern Ireland. A major project at North Down Wastewater Treatment Works in Donaghadee includes 3,354 solar panels with a maximum output of 2MW. This output matches the annual electricity use of 655 homes. All green energy produced will power the site to lower energy consumption, costs and carbon emissions.

Completed solar schemes exist at sites in Antrim, Ballymena, Drumaroad, Magilligan, Derg, Limavady and Killyhevlin, set for 2025. In Keady, County Armagh, the Farming for Water Scheme installed seven solar-powered livestock drinkers at Clay Lake catchment. These prevent animals from accessing streams that supply drinking water to 4,000 people. Water from Clay Lake previously needed extra treatment to remove pollutants.

Mark Fitzgerald, NI Water Head of Transformation and Innovation Programme Delivery, stated the company invests in renewable energy and efficiency solutions. He noted delivering clean drinking water daily uses significant energy. Projects from large solar installations to small catchment schemes protect water quality, cut emissions and aid the environment.

At Aghanloo near Limavady, NI Water completed a £4 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment works. The facility uses Phragmifiltre technology with six reed beds covering 3,000 square metres and more than 10,000 reeds planted. This low-energy process treats water naturally with fewer mechanical parts for reduced maintenance.

Michael Donnelly, NI Water Senior Project Manager, said the system meets environmental standards efficiently. He added it integrates into the landscape, supports wildlife and protects waterways for 20 years. Construction involved Lowry Building & Civil Engineering, Avove Ireland and TetraTech.

NI Water supplies clean drinking water and wastewater services to 1.9 million people across Northern Ireland.