Northern Ireland Water has just announced a two-year, £10 million investment package for improvement works at a number of minor wastewater treatment facilities across rural parts of the Province, including Fermanagh.

During the rural wastewater investment programme, NI Water will undertake a widespread portfolio of work to upgrade processes at wastewater treatment works which serve villages or communities with a population of less than 300.

Among the locations which have been identified for work are a number of locations in Fermanagh. Upgrade works will take place at five locations: Scribbagh, Florencecourt, Kinawley, Derryaghna and Drumnack.

A spokesperson for NI Water explained the project was at the very early stages and more sites/locations within the county may yet be identified as requiring work.

Launching the extensive programme of work, Trevor Haslett, NI Water's Director of Engineering Procurement explained: "There are approximately 900 rural wastewater treatment facilities across Northern Ireland, many of which are basic septic tanks. Some of these date back to the early 1960's. A significant proportion of the rural infrastructure is struggling to cope with population growth, increased housing and the rising demands of 21st century living."

Mr Haslett stated that NI Water's substantial investment would completely overhaul existing systems and facilitate future local development to 2018. It will also bring about environmental improvements through the installation of modern treatment processes. Part of the Investment Programme will involve the installation of hi-tech wastewater treatment tanks known as, Rotating Biological Contactors.

The tanks, which are designed specifically for small footprint areas, are fully enclosed and will be partially buried on-site to minimise their visual impact. The Rural Wastewater Investment Programme is one element of an extensive programme of work that NI Water is undertaking to deliver a 21st century wastewater and water infrastructure.

These improvements will not only result in cleaner beaches and rivers but they will facilitate demand placed on the system by ongoing development.

By 2010, NI Water will have invested £492 million in wastewater treatment and collection systems. Work on the scheme will be carried out through a joint venture by local companies - BSG Civil Engineering, Williams Industrial Services and McAdam Design.

Mr Haslett concluded: "NI Water is pleased to work with some of the best home-grown talent on this scheme. Local organisations are investing heavily in developing new technologies and processes to increase efficiency and improve their competitiveness in the market place."