An innovative treatment process, known as Phragmafiltre® - which uses plants to clean the wastewater – will form part of the new solution which is being incorporated on land adjacent to the existing mechanical facility. The highly sustainable solution will help support local development in the area for the next 20 years.

Talking about the eco-friendly process, Sean Milligan, NI Water Senior Project Manager said:

“NI Water strives to incorporate sustainable approaches to water and wastewater treatment where possible. The nature-based treatment facility designed for Robinsonstown has been tried and tested throughout Europe and is widely used in rural areas where sufficient land exists to construct a series of reed beds.

“By letting nature take its course, the new treatment works will treat the wastewater to the required environmental standard in a much more efficient way. By incorporating fewer mechanical components, there will be reduced maintenance required at the plant.

The exisiting Robinsonstown Wastewater Treatment Works will remain in operation until the new nature-based facility is commissioned in autumn 2027.

The new sustainable treatment works will more than double the capacity of the old system, supporting development in the Robinsonstown area for the next 20 years.

Construction of the new treatment facility is being undertaken by GEDA Construction (Coalisland) and Water Solutions Ireland (Newry). Belfast-based McAdam is providing technical and project management support.

Other locations where NI Water has constructed nature-based wastewater treatment solutions include Loughries (Co. Down), Stoneyford (Co. Antrim), Clabby (Co. Fermanagh), Castle Archdale (Co. Fermanagh) and Ballykelly (Co. Derry/ Londonderry). Two new sustainable treatment works are also planned for Garrison and Belleek in Co. Fermanagh as part of the PEACEPLUS-funded WEST project.