Northern Ireland Water has completed an essential £1 million drainage project in the Mersey Street area of East Belfast one week ahead of programme.

The work, which started in summer 2014, proved to be difficult and challenging – with unexpected ground conditions adding to the engineering complexity. 

Grahame Millar, Project Sponsor said:

“Throughout the course of this project, many engineering challenges were encountered.  The existing sewer was in a very poor condition so the replacement and repair of this was added to the project to minimise disruption and the need to return to the site at a later date.”

The designers on the project, Aecom developed a state-of-the-art low-dig form of construction which greatly reduced construction impact on local residents and helped the contractors, Conwells, to complete sections earlier than anticipated. 

The overall programme of work will greatly improve the sewerage infrastructure in the local area.

NI Water has some remaining cleaning work scheduled for January to ensure the new modern drainage system is fully operational.