Kier-Bam and Stantec win Northern Ireland utilities deal

A Tier One team will oversee a major wastewater management project in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Water has selected the delivery team for the upgrade of Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) in Duncrue, as part of the Living With Water in Belfast Plan.

The ECI (Early Contractor Involvement) contract has been awarded to Kier-Bam (civil contractor), Stantec (civil engineering design consultant) and MWH Treatment (process contractor).

Project management consultants, McAdam Design, have also been brought in.

Following the completion of the ECI phase in 2024, Phase One construction will get underway, subject to planning.

Phase One – a six-year programme – follows a recently completed Phase Zero interim upgrade, which included construction of two new treatment tanks.

“The integrated team is currently working through an optioneering exercise to develop the most cost-effective and efficient designs, which will centre on the re-use of most of the existing assets within the confines of the existing site,” said Sara Venning, NI Water’s CEO.

Adding: “These designs will more than double the capacity of the original treatment works and ensure the city’s wastewater treatment needs are met well into the future.”

The Living With Water in Belfast Plan aims to deliver a long-term approach to drainage and wastewater management that will protect the community from flooding and provide a cleaner environment.

“Due to constraints in investment over the past 20 years, many parts of the wastewater and drainage infrastructure serving greater Belfast are now having to operate at or over their original design capacity,” said Adrian Black, NI Water’s project manager for Belfast WwTW.  “Belfast WwTW plays a crucial role in supporting the city’s myriad of businesses and households on a daily basis and NI Water has been working hard to ensure that current Northern Ireland Environment Agency standards can be met.

“This major project will safeguard the future operation of the treatment plant, ensuring that Belfast WwTW can support a healthy environment, improve water quality in the River Lagan and Belfast Lough and sustain a growing economy.

“The upgraded treatment plant will also support the development of much-needed homes and help boost job creation within the construction industry.”