Northern Ireland Water has completed a major £650,000 programme of works to improve the sewerage infrastructure and reduce flooding risks in the Rostrevor area, Co Down.

The major storm separation and improvement scheme will accommodate future development in the area. The new dedicated storm sewers will also greatly improve the water quality in the Ghann and Rostrevor Rivers and the operation of the Shore Road Wastewater Pumping Station will also be improved. The scheme included the removal of approximately 75 storm water gullies from NI Water’s combined sewer network and the construction of a series of new, dedicated storm sewers which discharge to the Ghann River and Rostrevor River.

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy commented:

“Historically, the Rostrevor area has been impacted by flooding, and these schemes will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in the future, as well as improving the local sewerage infrastructure.”

However, the project, while reducing the risk of flooding from that experienced previously, will not completely eliminate the risk of flooding - exceptional weather events could still overwhelm NI Water's network in the future.

Contractor Quinn Automation Ltd carried out the programme of work for NI Water.