NI Water plants the seeds for sustainable wastewater treatment at Aghanloo
Aghanloo, outside Limavady, is benefitting from a £4 million investment by NI Water, following the completion of a sustainable upgrade to the local wastewater treatment works.
The new eco-friendly solution incorporates an innovative treatment process, known as Phragmafiltre®.
This pioneering technology uses a series of reed beds to treat the water naturally, with minimal energy required.
Talking about the sustainable process, Michael Donnelly, NI Water Senior Project Manager said: “NI Water is committed to adopting sustainable approaches to wastewater treatment where possible.
"The new eco-friendly system installed at Aghanloo 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 into the treatment works, maintenance requirements will be reduced, resulting in operational cost savings for NI Water.”
Referring to the wider community and environmental benefits of the upgrade, Michael added: “The new nature-based Aghanloo Wastewater Treatment Works is a low carbon, low energy facility that integrates seamlessly into the landscape and will serve the area sustainably for the next 20 years.
"The series of reed beds offers a thriving environment for birds, insects and other wildlife and provides a natural stormwater defence that will protect and enhance local waterways.”
The new sustainable treatment works includes more than 10,000 reeds planted across 3,000 square metres, creating a fully natural environment.
There are six reed beds in total, covering an area equivalent to 16 tennis courts.
Construction of the new nature-based treatment facility was undertaken by Lowry Building & Civil Engineering (Castlederg) and Avove Ireland (Newry), as part of the DLJ Water joint venture, with project management and technical support provided by Belfast-based TetraTech.
The investment highlights NI Water’s commitment to modernising wastewater infrastructure in a sustainable way to support growing communities while protecting Northern Ireland’s natural environment.
A similar nature-based wastewater system was completed at Ballykelly in 2022.
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. Londonderry).
A similar Phragmifiltre® system is currently being constructed at Robinsonstown, outside Portadown (Co. Armagh) and at Garrison in Co. Fermanagh.