Construction work on a new eco-friendly wastewater treatment plant, which will incorporate innovative reed-bed technology and pave the way for improved water quality in Lough Melvin, is due to start later this month in Garrison, County Fermanagh.

Image: artist's impression new Garrison WwTW

The work is being undertaken as part of the the €32 million WEST project (Water Enhancements through Sustainable Treatment), a cross-border initiative between NI Water and Uisce Éireann, which aims to improve water quality in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin, and Donegal Bay through the upgrade of strategic wastewater assets.

Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the WEST project also involves sustainable upgrades to wastewater treatment works at Belleek, Ballybay and Blacklion as well as extensive modelling work in the wider Erne catchment.

With a total value of €1.14 billion, PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Speaking about the work at Garrison, NI Water Senior Project Manager and WEST Programme Lead, Mark Brownlee said:

“The new eco-friendly solution at Garrison is the first of the four sustainable wastewater projects to hit the ground under the WEST project and will be developed adjacent to NI Water’s existing mechanical plant off the Dooard Road. The Garrison solution will use innovative reed-bed technology to treat wastewater, with a solar system incorporated to provide the low-level energy required to operate the facility.

“A new pipeline, to link the Ravensbrae development with NI Water’s wastewater network and subsequently the new treatment facility, is also included in the plans. This additional part of the scheme will address a long-term issue with the unadopted wastewater facility in Ravensbrae and will remove a potential source of pollution from the area. Together these major wastewater improvements will make a positive impact in improving water quality in Lough Melvin.”

The new pipeline from Ravensbrae will be undertaken in the latter part of the project and will be largely routed through private lands.

Maghera-based BSG Civil Engineering has been appointed to undertake the work at Garrison and plans to start construction on the new treatment works towards the end of February. Work will be ongoing until autumn 2027 and the existing plant will remain in operation until the new sustainable plant is constructed and commissioned.

Once the new treatment solution is fully operational, flows will be diverted from the existing WwTW, and this old facility will be demolished.

Launched in November 2025, the €32 million WEST project is being funded under the Water Quality Improvement Programme investment area of the PEACEPLUS programme. This enables a collaborative cross-border approach to the management and improvement of water quality to address the requirements of the Water Framework Directive in selected water bodies.

Through innovative new approaches and upgrades to wastewater treatment, the WEST project will bring benefits to border communities by improving water quality in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin and Donegal Bay, as well as providing improved treatment for at least 5,000 people, with treatment capacity for an additional 1,000 in Belleek, Garrison, Ballybay and Blacklion.