Upgrade of Northern Ireland WWTP Northern Ireland Water's (NIW) newly extended wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at Carrickfergus treats the effluent from 35,330 people in the town and its environs.

Between 2003 and 2008 a £1.1bn of capital investment is being put in place to upgrade Northern Ireland's water and sewerage infrastructure. Of this the Carrickfergus project is an £8.5m part of NIW's £33.5m investment in the Belfast Lough North Shore Improvement Programme. The programme is aimed at ensuring that Belfast Lough meets European Standards and responds to the rapidly increasing development needs of the Belfast region.

The upgrade extends the existing works to provide secondary treatment for three times the 'dry weather flow', (3XDWF = 327 l/s). This includes an interstage pumping station, 4 no. aeration lanes with selector and anoxic capabilities, 4 no. final settlement tanks, sludge thickening and storage facilities, works liquor pumping station and an odour control unit. The existing inlet works are also upgraded to handle flows up to a full storm flow, (Formula A of 569 l/s) and comprise 2 no. 6mm inlet screens, screenings conditioning units and an emergency weir and bypass.

As further enhancements, 4 disused primary settlement tanks have been converted into storm tanks together with providing pH monitoring at the inlet works to direct flows up to Formula A to a dedicated storm tank in the event of a pollution incident.

RPS-CE/White Young Green/EC Harris are Joint Venture Project Managers for the Eastern Region Integrated Wastewater Framework with responsibility for the Project, White Young Green as project managers, ECH as contract advisors and RPS-CE providing technical design and price agreement and supervision of construction and commissioning. The works have been carried out under 'Target Price' New Engineering Contract, (NEC) conditions with Biwater/Graham as the Joint Venture Contractor. The project has been delivered to the Target Price and within the contracted 2 year programme, with the new Works coming on line in18 months, well ahead of schedule.

Contact:
RPS Dublin (West Pier)
T: + 353 1 2884499