'A major step forward': Northern Ireland firm appointed for major Belleek wastewater upgrade

Maghera-based BSG Civil Engineering has been appointed to deliver a major wastewater infrastructure upgrade in Belleek, with construction of a new sustainable treatment works due to begin this month.

The project forms part of the €32 million WEST (Water Enhancements through Sustainable Treatment) programme, a cross-border initiative involving Northern Ireland Water and Uisce Éireann aimed at improving water quality in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin and Donegal Bay.

The new Belleek Wastewater Treatment Works is being supported through PEACEPLUS and will provide increased treatment capacity for the local community, helping to support future housing and economic growth in the area.

Construction is planned to begin in September 2026, with the new facility being developed on a greenfield site accessed via a private laneway past Wark Hall.

The existing mechanical treatment works off Marina Road will remain operational while the new facility is being built and commissioned.

BSG Civil Engineering will initially establish a site compound before progressing construction of the new nature-based treatment facility. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2028.

Once the new works are operational, wastewater flows will be diverted to the facility and the existing treatment works will be demolished.

The wider Belleek scheme will also include a new, larger-diameter pumping main connecting Carlton Wastewater Pumping Station, beside Carlton Cottages, to the new treatment works.

A number of trial holes will be excavated on Main Street and Marina Road in mid-September to help finalise the pipeline design, assess ground conditions and identify existing services. Each excavation is expected to take around one day, with traffic management in place to maintain traffic flow.

Mark Brownlee, WEST Programme Lead, said the project team was delighted to begin its second sustainable treatment upgrade following progress at Garrison.

“This investment, made possible through PEACEPLUS funding, represents a major step forward for wastewater services in Belleek and will provide lasting environmental, social and economic benefits for the local community,” he said.

“The new eco-friendly treatment works and pumping main will help improve water quality in the River Erne and, downstream, Donegal Bay, while providing additional treatment capacity to support new homes and economic growth in the Belleek area.”

He added that the WEST team appreciated the support of local landowners, businesses and residents and would work to minimise disruption during construction.

The WEST project was launched in November 2025 and is funded through the Water Quality Improvement Programme investment area of PEACEPLUS, which enables Northern Ireland Water and Uisce Éireann to work collaboratively on improving water quality in selected water bodies.

As well as Belleek, the programme includes wastewater treatment upgrades at Garrison, Ballybay and Blacklion, together with extensive modelling work across the wider Erne catchment.

The wider project is expected to improve water quality in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin and Donegal Bay and provide improved wastewater treatment for at least 5,000 people, with capacity for an additional 1,000 people across Belleek, Garrison, Ballybay and Blacklion.

For Belleek, the investment will provide upgraded wastewater infrastructure while supporting the village's future development and contributing to improved environmental conditions along the River Erne and downstream into Donegal Bay.