[Image: Dunore point opening (a)]

This £110million project was awarded in 2006 to Dalriada Water Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kelda Water Services, a key player in the UK water contracts arena.

The work involved major upgrades of existing infrastructure and the construction of three new strategic link mains supplying Ballymoney, Limavady and Lisburn.  Dalriada Water has been operating the upgraded facilities on behalf of NI Water since September 2008 with the four works now producing almost half of the province’s drinking water supply covering the counties of Antrim, Armagh and Derry. 

Speaking at the opening the Minister said:  “This facility is just one example of the scale of investment required to improve drinking water quality, meet European standards, respond to increasing demand and provide customers across the North with a modern service.

“I welcome the completion of this major investment project which will deliver an efficient, cost effective and high quality treated water source, safeguarding the water supply infrastructure for the years ahead.”

Laurence MacKenzie, Chief Executive of NI Water added: “The completion of this project on time and on budget is good news for customers. It safeguards water supplies, ensuring that new water quality benchmarks are met.  “I would like to thank the entire team involved in this project and our partners Dalriada Water for their efforts in ensuring that this essential project was delivered on schedule and within budget.”

Paul Wynn, Chairman of Dalriada Water Services said:  “Dalriada Water is delighted to have worked in partnership with NI Water on Project Alpha. Now part of the KWS group, Dalriada has benefited from industry best practice from working with Yorkshire Water, Farrans and Aecom.  We believe this project is a model of excellence for other similar projects throughout the UK.”