Supply Chain - Contractors - Formwork & Falsework

Comber is a small town in County Down, located on the shores of Strangford Lough, 4.5 miles from Newtownards and 12 miles from Belfast. All flows from the Comber Catchment arrive at Upper Crescent Wastewater Pumping Station (WwPS), which is the terminal pumping station that pumps flows to Ballyrickard Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) for treatment. A study on the drainage network of Ballyrickard/Comber was carried out in January 2010, which identified inadequacies in the system and made recommendations for improving and upgrading the network. Specifically, the study identified that Upper Crescent WwPS did not meet Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (NIEA) requirements for emergency storage volumes. It also identified that Upper Crescent WwPS had been experiencing frequent breakdowns that contributed to high operational costs. Existing works

Upper Crescent WwPS was constructed in the 1970s, and the site contains two pumping stations:

Wastewater pumping station: Pumps foul flows from the catchment to Ballyrickard WwTW in Newtownards for treatment. Storm pumping station: Services stormwater from the local catchment area during large storm events that can overwhelm the sewer network. This pumping station plays a key role in preventing out-of-sewer flooding within Comber during storm events and limits further discharges to Strangford Lough. [caption id="attachment_26824" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Existing site showing proximity of site to neighbouring properties and local park to the north - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption] Project team

As principal contractor and principal designer, GRAHAM Construction had overall responsibility to deliver the project on time and within budget. Enisca Brown Ltd was contracted for designing and delivering a turnkey MEICA, process design and build solution for the new works.

McAdam provided civil, structural, and geotechnical design services, including the initial enabling and investigatory works carried out at the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) stage, as well as the detailed design for construction.

The contract delivery team worked in a collaborative manner with NI Water and their project manager AECOM, as well as key suppliers and subcontractors to deliver a robust, effective and modern wastewater pumping station and storm water storage facility. This allows for future growth within the catchment area and protects the environment from discharges during storm events.

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

In 2022, GRAHAM undertook Early Contractor Involvement to further develop the scope and complete detailed design for the main construction works. Due to the age of the existing pumping stations, rigorous investigations were carried out to determine their operation and control philosophy, condition and potential for imposing health and safety risks to operatives and the contract team.

The completion of the detailed design, ahead of main contract award, ensured cost certainty for NI Water and lessened the risk of delays due to design changes on site.

[caption id="attachment_26822" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Early excavation works on the cofferdam - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption] Upper Crescent WwPS: Supply chain - key participants Client: NI Water Project manager: AECOM Civil contractor: GRAHAM MEICA designer & contractor: Enisca Browne Ltd Civil, structural & geotechnical design: McAdam Cofferdam temporary works design: McErlain Consulting Sheet piling contractor: Ward Piling PLC software & commissioning: Enisca Browne Ltd PLC software & commissioning: Profitec Solutions Ltd Metalwork design/fabrication & installation: Evans Plant Pumps & mixers: Xylem Water Solutions Static storm screen: Eliquo Hydrok Ltd Access covers: JP Corry Pipes & fittings: APP Fusion Group Backup generator: AJ Power Ltd Lifting equipment: Walter Watson Lifting equipment: Barbour Engineering & Fabrication Site security fencing & gates: Kane Fencing Ltd [caption id="attachment_26825" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Installation of the sheet piles for the cofferdam - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption] Project description & scope

The existing Upper Crescent WwPS in Comber involved a 2-Phase upgrade plan to complete all activities required:

Phase 1: Early procurement of items with long lead-in times and site preparation:

Early procurement of items such as generator, overflow screen, gantry crane and MCC panel. Relocation of several deep incoming sewer lines around the footprint of the cofferdam. Installation of new motor control panels for the existing Storm PS and new Wastewater PS to ensure uninterrupted operations. Relocation of overhead NIE (Northern Ireland Electricity) cables. Installation of a new upsized NIE transformer. Installation of a new 550kVA backup generator. New NIE incomer panel for connection point to the new NIE TX from the new 550KVA diesel generator.

Phase 2: Construction

Further site investigation works. Construction of new wastewater pumping station. Construction of new valve and flowmeter chambers. Installation of M&E equipment including three pumps, two mixers and static overflow screen. Construction of new inlet and overflow sewers. Construction of new rising main. Demolition of existing wastewater pumping station and associated apparatus. Landscaping and reinstatement. [caption id="attachment_26819" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Final excavation to formation level (minus 10m below ground level) within the cofferdam - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption] Construction

One of the biggest challenges was that the two adjacent pumping stations had to remain operational throughout the entire construction phase. The new Upper Crescent WwPS and 687m3 of stormwater storage required the construction of a 26m diameter x 10m deep cofferdam and the new WwPS could not be commissioned until the existing had been decommissioned.

Screw pumps: Each of the screw pumps within the Upper Crescent Storm Pumping Station was individually phased over to the new control panel in a lengthy process, which required a test period of each pump before the next pump could be phased over. Staged changeover was required due to the criticality of their operation during storm events. The pumps could not be taken out of service during storm events due to the potential of out-of-sewer flooding in low lying areas within the Comber Catchment.

Cofferdam construction: Once the programmed critical works within Phase 1 were complete, Phase 2 works could commence on the construction of the circular cofferdam. This was undertaken by specialist piling contractor Ward Piling Ltd with responsibility for:

Temporary works design. Sheet pile installation. Dewatering well installation. Construction of three circular concrete ring beams. Excavation of the cofferdam. Dewatering of the excavation.

A secondary 3-sided cofferdam was also constructed adjacent to the main cofferdam to facilitate the construction of a new inlet manhole.

[caption id="attachment_26828" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Completed cofferdam and 280 ton crawler crane - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption]

Craneage: The craneage requirements for the entire project were critical in developing the construction methodology and phasing of the works. Multiple heavy and bulky lifting operations were required to construct the new Upper Crescent Wastewater Pumping Station. These included lifting 25-ton excavators into and out of the cofferdam, lifting of the 10-ton steel plate wall shuttering/formwork used to cast the circular pumping station structure, pulling of the sheet piles with vibro hammer and installation of the large precast roof beams and slabs.

A 280-ton crawler crane was selected as the suitable crane for our project needs. The imposed loading of the crawler crane also had to be considered in the design of the cofferdam, due to the loading it would place onto the cofferdam structure. Early planning of the detailed and complex construction methodology streamlined the construction process and avoided any major delays or unforeseen complexities in the construction of the new WwPS.

Concrete pours & precast roof: Due to the proximity to Comber River/Strangford Lough and the findings from the ground investigation during the ECI, it was anticipated that a high-water table would be encountered with steady flow of groundwater infiltration. However, the reality was much better than expected. The sheet pile installation was much more effective at cutting off groundwater infiltration than anticipated, significantly reducing the dewatering resources.

The new WwPS is a 15m internal diameter reinforced concrete structure with internal dividing wall, which splits the structure into the stormwater storage tank and foul pumping station wet well. The concrete structure was cast in situ in 15 steps. Concrete pours starting with the base slab and followed by five 1.35m high kicker pours to contain the internal benching. [caption id="attachment_26821" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (left) Reinforced concrete pumping station structure under construction and (right) roof beam and completed RC structure - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption]

The main walls were then cast; the remaining 7.5m height of the structure in five wall pours (four quarter radius pours and the internal dividing wall pour). The walls were cast using custom adjustable radius steel formwork shutters. Every effort was taken to maximise the speed and ease of construction, and the larger pours reduced the number of construction joints within the wastewater retaining structure.

The roof beams were precast on site due to their size and weight; 1m deep cross sections weighing approximately 20 tonnes each. A steel platform was constructed on site, on which each of the roof beams was cast while the tank structure was under construction.

The roof slabs were set into pockets cast into the top of the tank walls, with a H-shape beam over the wet well to accommodate large access covers for the three submersible pumps and two mixer pumps. The roof deck consisted of 22 precast slabs, which were cast off site due to insufficient space on site. The largest slab weight was 14 tonnes.

Inlet manhole: Upper Crescent WwPS receives incoming flows from the Comber Catchment via three gravity sewers entering from three corners of the site. The sewers all combine in the new inlet manhole, which was constructed adjacent to the new WwPS. Within the new inlet chamber, there are two manually operated penstocks. These can be used to direct flows into the wet well or storm tank as required, via the two independent pipelines shown. This provides NI Water operatives the opportunity to isolate the wet well during period of maintenance and utilise the storm tank to receive the incoming flows. [caption id="attachment_26820" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (left) Roof beam and completed RC structure and (right) incoming sewers - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption] Turn of flows

The commissioning of the new pumping main required a temporary shutdown of the WwPS to disconnect the existing pumping station and connect the new pumping station to the pumping main. This critical activity required meticulous planning and detailed coordination between the contract team and NI Water.

The work was programmed for forecasted dry days to ensure flows were reduced during the operation. Regular commissioning meetings were held with NI Water and the contract team in advance of the proposed works. Detailed discussions concerned the proposed works, programme and specific requirements in a systematic approach to confirm with relevant stakeholders that all eventualities had been considered before the works were progressed.

The final connection to the rising main was programmed to take place at night, during an 8-hour period when incoming flows would be at a minimum. The works would also be very weather dependant, as wet weather would dramatically reduce the amount of time available to complete the connection. The additional stormwater in the combined network could potentially overwhelm the on-site storage more rapidly than the team could complete the connection.

[caption id="attachment_26829" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Wet well pumps - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption] The existing Upper Crescent WwPS was taken out of service on 26 February at 23.00. The inlet pipe to the new WwPS was opened and the existing pipeline to the old WwPS isolated. The existing pumping station wet well was pumped down to its lowest possible point possible to provide maximum storage. Then approximately 500m of 450mm HDPE diameter rising main was drained back to the existing pumping station wet well. The new pumping station was used to provide additional on-site storage of 687m3. The team worked through the night and the rising main connection was completed by 05:00 the next morning. Commissioning

Once the pumping main connection was completed, the new Upper Crescent Wastewater Pumping Station became operational and a 28-day trial period to verify the station’s functionality/reliability to the client commenced. During the 28-day trial, the existing wastewater pumping station was methodically demolished, down to the basement levels ensuring that the new WwPS was not affected.

The excavation was backfilled with engineered fill to ground level in preparation for final hardstanding construction and landscaping, which was completed during the final weeks of construction.

[caption id="attachment_26823" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Demolition of the existing WwPS - Courtesy of GRAHAM[/caption] Community engagement

Upper Crescent WwPS is located at the end of a cul-de-sac and corner of a public park. Ahead of construction commencing on site and throughout the work, a number of public relations activities were employed to inform the many stakeholders about the project and in particular the piling activities, removal of spoil from site and turn of flows when commissioning the new pumping station. These included: regular briefings to local elected representatives; one-to-one meetings with stakeholders; letter drops; house calls; school visits to the site; press releases and social media announcements.

During the project’s construction phase, GRAHAM needed some additional lands to enable the construction of the new Upper Crescent WwPS, as the pumping station would occupy most available lands within the existing site. The construction team where therefore required to obtain a section of the neighbouring Muckers Park owned by Ards and North Down Borough Council to form a temporary site compound and provide additional land for a crane platform. The crane platform required a diversion of footpath used by the local Park Run.

Upper Crescent WwPS: Timelapse video

Early engagement with Comber Park Run enabled successful diversion of footpaths for the weekly race and patrons of the park. The diversion had to be artificially lengthened, to ensure that the length of the park run circuit was not shortened. During the construction of the new WwPS, GRAHAM provided refreshments for a number of park runs, distributing NI Water reusable water bottles and provided a cake for the Park Run’s 10th Anniversary.

On completion of the WwPS, the park was reinstated to its original configuration and handed back to the Ards and North Down Borough Council. Upper Crescent WwPS was operational from 27th February 2025 with site-wide testing and commissioning of the plant successfully undertaken for handover to NI Water in June 2025.

Portadown is a large town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland located approximately 24 miles south-west of Belfast and nestled along the banks of the Upper River Bann. Over recent years, Portadown has transformed from a historically industrial town into a modern hub with a rapidly growing logistics sector and retail environment attracting high footfall and continued economic growth. Meadow Lane Wastewater Pumping Station (WwPS), located within the central retail area of the town, was constructed in 1966. The site forwards flow to a downstream gravity sewer system before subsequently flowing into the southern inlet of Seagoe WwPS, approximately 1.5 miles away. Need for upgrade

Meadow Lane WwPS was identified as requiring significant base maintenance interventions due to the antiquated nature and condition of existing pumps, pipework and control assets which require a high level of maintenance; thus, imposing a risk of potential significant failure. The following observations were made on site:

Existing pumps showed signs of extensive wear (supported by observed power loadings). Control motors were identified as being installed pre-1975. The existing motor control centre (MCC) did not satisfy current asset standards.

NI Water Technical Support had also advised of occurrences of flooding within the dry well as a direct result of leaking pumps which required reactive maintenance and tankering operations.

Additionally, following completion of the 2007 Portadown Drainage Area Study, Meadow Lane WwPS was identified as a required output. It was outlined to NI Water the need for the existing Meadow Lane WwPS to deliver flow to full treatment (FFT) if the upstream network spill performances are to meet the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) requirements for the Meadow Lane catchment area.

[caption id="attachment_26864" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Secant piles with reinforced concrete capping beam - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering Ltd[/caption]

Model updates were completed in 2016 following flow monitoring surveys, and further inspections confirmed that the existing pumps could not deliver the required FFT. Therefore, the five CSOs identified by the NIEA as Unsatisfactory Intermittent Discharges (UIDs) could not be closed without significant intervention/upgrade at Meadow Lane WwPS. Model updates were also completed in 2020 to reflect predicted future 2040 flows.

The NIEA had identified the following five CSOs as UIDs:

Meadow Lane One CSO. Meadow Lane Two CSO. Portmore Street CSO. Clonavon Avenue CSO. Meadow Lane Health Centre CSO.

Failure to address spills would lead to potential prosecution by NIEA and associated reputational damage due to potential serious sewage flooding and pollution to the Annagh River, Upper River Bann and the surrounding area.

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

NI Water appointed BSG Civil Engineering Ltd as the main contractor under an NEC3 Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) Contract. As the main contractor, BSG provided multi-disciplinary design, project and supply chain management and civil engineering and MEICA works for the contract from inception to completion.

The ECI phase allowed BSG to align resources and integrate objectives with the client, NI Water, and project managers, McAdam, at an early stage to benefit overall project delivery. This allowed for enhanced collaboration, innovation, value, efficiency and reduced whole life cycle costs for the project.

[caption id="attachment_26863" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Liner wall formwork using Peri Rundflex - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering[/caption] Meadow Lane WwPS: Supply chain - key participants Project delivery: BSG Civil Engineering Ltd Civil, hydraulic & process designer: McAdam Temporary works design: MEA Ltd Earthworks: BSG Civil Engineering Ltd Specialist piling contractor: Quinn Piling Limited Formwork: Peri UK Reinforced concrete works: ONCCE Ltd Tunnelling contractor & TBM: B&W Tunnelling Ltd Open cut pipe installation: Phace Contracts Ltd Open cut pipe installation: O’Neill Contracts & Plant Hire Open cut pipe installation: AG Wilson Civil Engineering Groundworks: RMG Metalwork & FST designer/installer: RJ Smyth Engineering Precast roof beams: Macrete (Ireland) Ltd Precast roof slabs: Creagh Concrete Precast concrete pipes: Tracey concrete Screens: Eliquo Hydrok Ltd Submersible pumps & float switches: Xylem Water Solutions Flow meters: Siemens Control panels: Motrol Ltd Kiosks: Quinshield Ltd Primary drivers

The purpose and drivers of this project were as follows:

Ensure a reduction in spill frequency and volume through the provision of adequate storage facilities within the Meadow Lane catchment area. Closure of the five unscreened UIDs (identified by the NIEA) and subsequent provision of sewer upgrades in the upstream catchment to transfer flows from the closed UIDs and provide online storage. Resolution of three DG5 properties within the Meadow Lane area. Essential replacement of Meadow Lane WwPS with provision of a screened emergency overflow. [caption id="attachment_26865" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Pouring of 400m3 base slab - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering[/caption] What the upgrade involved

The upgrade of Meadow Lane WwPS and the associated network was a large-scale infrastructure project located within a complex urban environment. The project saw:

The installation of 380m of 1,500mm diameter tank sewer approximately 7m below ground level. The installation of 350m of sewers ranging in diameter from 300mm to 1500mm via open cut techniques in depths ranging from 2m to 7m below ground level. The demolition of the existing Meadow Lane WwPS. The construction of a new inlet chamber, wet well pumping station and 1,500m3 storage tank at the existing Meadow Lane WwPS site. The installation of a new MCC panel and associated glass reinforced plastic (GRP) kiosk. The installation of three 37kW foul pumps and two 9kW hydro ejectors. The installation of three screens from Eliqua Hydrok Ltd. The closure of five unscreened UIDs. 1,500mm tank sewer installation

Meadow Lane is an arterial route through Portadown town centre, providing access to several shopping facilities, restaurants and medical facilities. It was identified that significant traffic management, potentially involving lengthy diversions, would be required for an extended period to undertake the installation of the 1,500mm diameter tank sewer along Meadow Lane using open-cut methods.

[caption id="attachment_26861" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Pipejacking operation within launch pit - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering[/caption]

Therefore, it was determined that a trenchless pipejacking method of installation would be adopted to install the full 380m of 1,500m tank sewer. Additionally, the use of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) would allow for a reduced potential environmental impact due to the reduction in surface disruption, dust, noise and vibrations; and provide enhanced safety for construction staff due to the automated installation process.

Due to the unstable ground conditions, a closed face slurry system was used as this technique allowed the area around the TBM to be supported with a pressurised bentonite mix, preventing collapse and ensuring stability. During this process the excavated material was pumped from the face of the TBM, through the installed tunnel, to an above-ground separation system where the excavated material was removed from the bentonite mix, allowing it to be recycled and returned to the tunnel face for reuse.

The tunnelling operation was undertaken in three stages with launch and reception pits installed to facilitate each drive stage alongside ancillary tunnelling operations; drive stages varied in length between 70m to 230m. Due to the varying and difficult ground conditions present along the proposed tunnelling route, launch pits and reception chambers were installed using a combination of both segmental shafts and traditional cofferdams.

Storm retention tank, inlet chamber & wet well pumping station

The storm retention tank, inlet chamber, and wet well pumping station was designed as one structure. Due to the difficult ground conditions, high water table and proximity to existing NI Water assets, it was determined that secant piling would be implemented as a means of providing temporary support to facilitate safe excavation.

[caption id="attachment_26853" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Installation of concrete beams - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering Ltd[/caption]

A specialist piling contractor was utilised to install 140 (No.) 750mm diameter secant piles to a depth of 18m below ground level before the installation of a reinforced concrete capping beam to complete the excavation support system. Once installed, the secant piled wall provided a watertight structure. Localised dewatering within the secant piled structure was used to ensure excavated material remained dry and suitable for reuse on site. Approximately 3500m3 of material was removed from the 21m diameter, and 10m deep excavation.

Construction of the storm tank consisted of a 1200mm deep reinforced concrete base, a 400mm thick external liner wall, and a 500mm internal dividing wall. The liner wall formwork was designed as a single sided system using Peri Rundflex and constructed in two lifts to meet temporary works restrictions.

The roof structure was constructed using 1250mm by 900mm precast beams and 450mm thick precast hollow core slabs. Structural screed was then poured to complete the structure.

The complex roof slab arrangement consisted of a variety of construction techniques including in situ reinforced concrete elements, precast concrete primary and secondary beams, structural steel beams and hollow core precast slabs. The complete design of the roof structure was provided by five different design companies working in collaboration ensuring each element adhered to the tight tolerances required for accurate placement.

Open cut sewer installation

Six sections of open-cut sewer installation were completed in this scheme. Boxed systems were used to provide temporary works excavation support for the pipe installations. Sewers were installed to depths of up to 7m below ground level in sites with limited working room. Traffic flows were controlled by complex traffic management systems.

[caption id="attachment_26858" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Open cut sewer installation at Manhole No. 4 - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering Ltd[/caption] MEICA installation

The MEICA installation was completed in two stages. A new MCC was installed within the new GRP kiosk, and once all building services were installed, the NI Electricity supply was diverted to the new MCC panel which then backfed a supply to the existing MCC panel until turn of flows in April 2025.

Once civils construction had sufficiently advanced, the second phase of the mechanical fit out commenced, where the three 37Kw foul pumps and associated pipework were installed from the foul pumping station to the flow meter chamber. A 250mm Siemens MAG 5100w was then installed to measure the outgoing flow-rate. Two pump stools, 9Kw hydro ejectors and pipework were installed within the storage tank to jetwash the tank during storm events.

Three Eliquo Hydrok Ltd screens were installed into the following areas:

Inlet screen chamber: 600l/sec Mecmex™ screen. Foul pumping station overflow screen chamber: 70l/sec static Peak Screen™. Storage tank overflow screen: 264 l/sec static Peak Screen™. [caption id="attachment_26855" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Pump remote enclosures and actuators - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering[/caption] Additional construction challenges

The main challenges faced during the delivery of Meadow Lane WwPS were a combination of site-specific constraints, environmental constraints and equipment/asset failures during the construction period. Some of the additional challenges experienced during the construction stage have been outlined below.

Portadown has been identified within the Northern Ireland Flood Risk Management Plan as an area of significant flood risk, due to regular fluvial flooding from the Upper River Bann and its tributaries. The most recent significant flood event was recorded in 2024, which saw substantial flooding across the entire work site. This fluvial flood event led to a halt in works on site for approximately one week and caused damage to plant.

The 500mm diameter outlet pumping main from the existing Meadow Lane Pumping Station ruptured on two occasions during the construction programme. To carry out the repair on the outlet pumping main, both Meadow Lane and Annagh WwPS had to be shut down and seven tankers were mobilised to transfer effluent to other NI Water treatment facilities. BSG Civil Engineering Ltd was able to utilise the newly constructed storm tank to create temporary storage and prevent any out-of-sewer flooding during the emergency repair works. BSG received positive feedback from NI Water on how these critical network emergency repair works were managed and rectified in a safe, collaborative and timely manner.

[caption id="attachment_26857" align="alignnone" width="1200"] (left) Fluvial flooding event in 2024 within the site compound, and (right) utilising the new storm tank for temporary storage following an outlet pumping main failure - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering Ltd[/caption] Stakeholder communication

NI Water and the project team recognised the potential negative impacts which could arise from undertaking such a large-scale project within a busy town centre location and from an early stage embarked on a strategic communications strategy to ensure key stakeholders were informed of the works and kept updated throughout.

As part of the public relations programme the project team and NI Water Communications held early briefings with a range of stakeholders including elected representatives, town centre management, chamber of commerce, health care centre, council, roads authority, landowners and local businesses.

In addition to the numerous one-to-one meetings, letter drops were carried out in advance of each section of road works commencing and press releases issued to the local media to advise the wider public of traffic management. Variable message boards were erected on main routes and large-scale project boards helped to convey the huge investment being made by NI Water and the resulting benefits for the public.

Key project milestones were publicised along with facts and figures relating to the construction work and tunnelling exercise.

Regular project updates and lookahead bulletins were issued to stakeholders to keep them up to date on progress and advise them of future traffic management requirements. Town centre management were invited to site at key stages of the project to view progress and hear firsthand about the benefits the NI Water investment will bring to Portadown.

BSG provided a point of contact for operational queries and this, along with NI Water’s wider stakeholder communications, helped to ensure a smooth-running construction programme.

[caption id="attachment_26859" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Completed Meadow Lane WwPS (July 2025) - Courtesy of BSG Civil Engineering Ltd[/caption] Outcomes

NI Water directed significant financial investment into upgrading the existing sewer network and Meadow Lane WwPS within the Meadow Lane area of Portadown. The proposed works oversaw the closure of five CSOs within the Meadow Lane WwPS catchment area through connection into the new 1,500mm tank sewer alongside the resolution of three DG5 properties.

The collaborative effort between NI Water, BSG Civil Engineering Ltd and McAdam resulted in the smooth completion of the programme and successful testing, commissioning and handover to NI Water in July 2025. The benefits of the new infrastructure will be realised almost immediately through a reduction in spill frequency and volume within the Upper River Bann and Annagh River.

This project showcased the capabilities of NI Water, BSG Civil Engineering Ltd and McAdam to coordinate and undertake sensitive high-risk activities such as a large-scale turn of flow without issue and within a complex urban environment.