NI Water is proposing to carry out an extensive upgrade to Kinnegar Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) within its existing site on the edge of Holywood and is due to submit a planning application for the project later this year.

The existing treatment works at Kinnegar was originally constructed in 1963 with a second level of treatment and other upgrades provided in 1999. The facility treats wastewater from the majority of east Belfast, the industrial area of Airport Road West and the town of Holywood.

The much-needed upgrade – which is being developed as part of the Living With Water in Belfast Plan – will fully modernise this key NI Water asset, providing greater environmental protection and supporting growth and prosperity in the Holywood area.

An integrated team - comprising Farrans Construction, TES-CAW and AECOM - has been working collaboratively with NI Water and their project management team from RPS, under an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) appointment, to progress the designs for the Kinnegar site.

Paddy Brow, NI Water Project Sponsor for the upgrade of Kinnegar WwTW, said:

“We are delighted to have a local team of wastewater specialists support NI Water as we progress proposals for the Kinnegar project. The integrated team has been working through an optioneering exercise to develop the most efficient solution for the upgrade of Kinnegar WwTW, which will see the sympathetic modernisation of the 60-year-old facility within the confines of the existing site. An environmental statement for the project is being prepared and a planning application will be submitted this year following community consultation.”

The Living With Water in Belfast Plan includes major upgrades to a total of five wastewater treatment works – Belfast WwTW, Kinnegar WwTW, Whitehouse WwTW, Carrickfergus WwTW and Greenisland WwTW – all within the vicinity of Belfast Lough.

Extensive network improvements, including the upgrade of Sydenham Wastewater Pumping Station, which pumps flows to Kinnegar WwTW for treatment, are also planned.

If fully funded, NI Water said the upgrades will safeguard the future operation of the treatment plants and facilitate a range of improvements to other key wastewater and drainage infrastructure within Greater Belfast.

These projects combined will reduce the risk of out-of-sewer flooding, lead to improved water quality in the River Lagan and Belfast Lough, and facilitate the construction of new housing and business through the increased wastewater drainage and treatment capacity provided.

Commenting on the importance of the upgrades, Paddy Brow added:

“The Kinnegar and Sydenham projects are inextricably linked and for this reason NI Water has appointed the same ECI team for both schemes to maximise efficiencies and foster innovations in delivery. Working collaboratively with NI Water and our local project management consultants, RPS and AtkinsRéalis, as ‘One Team’, the ECI team is working hard to develop forward-thinking, sustainable and robust solutions that will ensure the Kinnegar and Sydenham assets can support a flourishing environment and growing economy for decades to come. As part of the important ECI phase, the One Team will progress the projects through the relevant planning processes and liaise with stakeholders on our proposals going forward.”

Provided planning for the Kinnegar WwTW scheme is approved and the project fully funded, construction work could get underway at the site around summer 2025. The Sydenham project is being progressed under a separate planning application with Belfast City Council. It is hoped that work can commence on site in early 2025.

As part of the Pre-Application Community Consultation (PACC) process for the Kinnegar scheme, NI Water will be holding a public information event about the proposals.on Thursday 29th February 2024 from 3pm-8pm in Queen’s Leisure Complex in Holywood.