25/08/2026
NI Water Completes £9.4m Upgrade At Kilrea Wastewater Treatment Works
NI Water has completed a £9.4 million modernisation of Kilrea Wastewater Treatment Works in L'Derry, boosting capacity, improving efficiency and providing greater protection for the River Bann.
The plant, first built in the 1970s, required significant refurbishment to meet growing demand from Kilrea and the wider surrounding area.
Works included the installation of an advanced treatment process, first-time stormwater storage tanks, two new final settlement tanks and a sludge tank. Elements of the original works, including pumping stations, were repurposed within the upgraded system, with the existing treatment process kept operational throughout. The improvements will help manage future flows more efficiently while maintaining compliance with stringent Northern Ireland Environment Agency standards.
Overall treatment capacity has been increased by almost 50% to support local development and help ensure the facility can meet current and future environmental requirements.
NI Water's Senior Project Manager Martin Armstrong said: "This major investment demonstrates NI Water's commitment to future proofing the wastewater infrastructure throughout Northern Ireland, bringing environmental benefits while allowing local communities to thrive by supporting local development and improving the local river water quality. This investment will also improve operational efficiency at the plant and provides a more modern treatment process, which will help reduce energy consumption.
"We are proud of the social value impact of the project, with our framework contractor, Farrans Glanua JV engaging many local sub-contractors to supply key materials and services throughout construction, as well as engaging three students, graduates and higher-level apprentices, who gained valuable hands-on experience during the scheme, helping to inspire the engineers of the future!"
Technical support for the upgrade was provided by Belfast-based Tetra Tech. Framework contractor Farrans Glanua JV engaged local firms Bradleys & Co. Ltd (Garvagh) for civils groundworks, Hillfoot Contracts (Magherafelt) for concrete structures, IME Electrical Services Ltd (Magherafelt) for electrical works and Liberty Water (Lurgan) for mechanical fitout.
The plant, first built in the 1970s, required significant refurbishment to meet growing demand from Kilrea and the wider surrounding area.
Works included the installation of an advanced treatment process, first-time stormwater storage tanks, two new final settlement tanks and a sludge tank. Elements of the original works, including pumping stations, were repurposed within the upgraded system, with the existing treatment process kept operational throughout. The improvements will help manage future flows more efficiently while maintaining compliance with stringent Northern Ireland Environment Agency standards.
Overall treatment capacity has been increased by almost 50% to support local development and help ensure the facility can meet current and future environmental requirements.
"We are proud of the social value impact of the project, with our framework contractor, Farrans Glanua JV engaging many local sub-contractors to supply key materials and services throughout construction, as well as engaging three students, graduates and higher-level apprentices, who gained valuable hands-on experience during the scheme, helping to inspire the engineers of the future!"
Technical support for the upgrade was provided by Belfast-based Tetra Tech. Framework contractor Farrans Glanua JV engaged local firms Bradleys & Co. Ltd (Garvagh) for civils groundworks, Hillfoot Contracts (Magherafelt) for concrete structures, IME Electrical Services Ltd (Magherafelt) for electrical works and Liberty Water (Lurgan) for mechanical fitout.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Mainly dry with clear spells most widespread in the east, but a few scattered light showers appearing west and north of Lough Neagh. Southwest winds freshening overnight. Minimum temperature 11 °C.