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24 Feb 2005 : Column 829W—continued
Water and Sewerage
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether it is his policy that the commissioning of the new waste water treatment works at Killinchy should be delayed if there is evidence of seawater regress into the sewerage infrastructure. [217466]
Mr. Spellar:
The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
24 Feb 2005 : Column 830W
Letter from Katharine Bryan to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated February 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about the possible delay in the commissioning of the new Wastewater Treatment Works at Killinchy if there is evidence of seawater regress into the sewerage Infrastructure (217466). I have been asked to reply as the issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
The new Works at Killinchy is currently on schedule for completion and commissioning by September 2005 at an estimated cost of £2.5 million. Under the wastewater project, which involves pumping the flow from Whiterock, Water Service will be undertaking a survey and examination of the sewerage infrastructure in the Whiterock area. The outcome of that investigation will not delay commissioning of the new wastewater treatment works at Killinchy.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he expects the work under way to upgrade the waste water treatment works at Killinchy/Whiterock to be completed and commissioned by September. [217467]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
Letter from Katharine Bryan to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated February 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question as to whether, works currently underway to upgrade the Wastewater Treatment Works at Killinchy/Whiterock will be completed and commission by September. (217467). I have been asked to reply as the issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
Preliminary construction/site clearance for the new Works commenced at Killinchy in September 2004 with full construction getting underway in November 2004. The project is currently on programme for completion and commissioning by September 2005 at a projected cost of £2.5 million.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Water Service has for replacing the Whiterock Bay sewer; and whether the Water Service plans to provide (a) a storm overflow with a fully operational flap on the outfall, (b) a storm retention tank and (c) pumps upgrade. [217468]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write the hon. Lady in response to this question.
Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated 24 February 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about what plans the Water Service has for replacing the Whiterock Bay Sewer; and whether the Water Service plans to provide a storm overflow with a fully operational flap on the outfall; a storm retention tank and pumps upgrade (217468). I have been asked to reply as the issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
Water Service is confident that the main sewer at Whiterock Bay is operating satisfactorily, and there are no plans to replace it. Water Service intends however to carry out a survey and examination of the sewerage infrastructure under the Killinchy wastewater treatment works project. I will keep you informed of any conclusion reached as a result of that investigation.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether recent sewerage spillages occurring in Whiterock Bay have been found to be directly attributable to the unscreened storm overflow located there. [217469]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated 24 February 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question as to whether recent sewerage spillages occurring at Whiterock Bay have been found to be directly attributable to the unscreened storm overflow located there. (217469). I have been asked to reply as the issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
The unscreened combined sewer overflow to which you refer is situated on the main sewer in Whiterock to the northwest of the boat park. Its purpose is to prevent out of sewer flooding during periods of heavy rain, when the flow in the main sewer can exceed its capacity, by discharging the excess flow into Whiterock Bay. Combined sewer overflows are a common feature on many sewerage systems in the UK.
Water Service has no record of complaints about this particular combined sewer overflow or about sewage spillages in the Bay. However, if you can provide me with specific details of sewage spillages, I will have the matter investigated as a matter or urgency.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there has been evidence of seawater ingress in the sewerage infrastructures at Whiterock. [217481]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated 24 February 2005:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question as to whether there has been evidence of seawater ingress in the sewerage infrastructures at Whiterock (217481). I have been asked to reply as the issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
I can confirm that Water Service will be undertaking a survey and examination of the sewerage infrastructure in the Whiterock area as part of the wastewater scheme for the Killinchy wastewater treatment works. I will write to you again when the outcome is known.