PEACEPLUS-funded WEST project plants the seeds for improved water quality in Lough Melvin
Work on a new eco-friendly wastewater treatment plant, which will incorporate innovative reed-bed
technology and pave the way for improved water quality in Lough Melvin, is due to start later this
month in Garrison, County Fermanagh.
The work is being undertaken as part of the WEST project (Water Enhancements through
Sustainable Treatment), a cross-border initiative between NI Water and Uisce Éireann, which aims to
improve water quality in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin, and Donegal Bay through the upgrade of
strategic wastewater assets.
Supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the
WEST project also involves sustainable upgrades to wastewater treatment works at Belleek, Ballybay
and Blacklion as well as extensive modelling work in the wider Erne catchment.
Speaking about the work at Garrison, NI Water Senior Project Manager and WEST Programme
Lead, Mark Brownlee said: “The new eco-friendly solution at Garrison is the first of the four
sustainable wastewater projects to hit the ground under the WEST project and will be developed
adjacent to NI Water’s existing mechanical plant off the Dooard Road. The Garrison solution will use
innovative reed-bed technology to treat the wastewater, with a solar system incorporated to
provide the low-level energy required to operate the facility.
“A new pipeline, to link the Ravensbrae development with NI Water’s wastewater network and
subsequently the new treatment facility, is also included in the plans. This additional part of the
scheme will address a long-term issue with the unadopted wastewater facility in Ravensbrae and will
remove a potential source of pollution from the area. Together these major wastewater
improvements will make a positive impact in improving water quality in Lough Melvin.
“Maghera-based BSG Civil Engineering has been appointed to undertake the work at Garrison and
plans to start construction on the new treatment works towards the end of February. Work will be
ongoing until autumn 2027 and the existing plant will remain in operation until the new sustainable
plant is constructed and commissioned.
1/2“Construction access will be via the existing lane to Garrison Wastewater Treatment Works
(WwTW), off Dooard Road. Once the new treatment solution is fully operational, flows will be
diverted from the existing WwTW, and this old facility will be demolished. From this stage onwards,
NI Water will access the new treatment works from a new access created from the Lattone Road.
“The new pipeline from Ravensbrae will be undertaken in the latter part of the project and will be
largely routed through private lands.
“The WEST project team appreciates the support of local landowners in progressing key wastewater
upgrades in Garrison. We are committed to minimising disruption and will keep the community
updated as work moves forward.”
Launched in November 2025, the €32 million WEST project is being funded under the Water Quality
Improvement Programme investment area of the PEACEPLUS programme. This enables a
collaborative cross-border approach to the management and improvement of water quality to
address the requirements of the Water Framework Directive in selected water bodies.
Through innovative new approaches and upgrades to wastewater treatment, the WEST project will
bring benefits to border communities by improving water quality in Lough Erne, Lough Melvin and
Donegal Bay, as well as providing improved treatment for at least 5,000 people, with treatment
capacity for an additional 1,000 in Belleek, Garrison, Ballybay and Blacklion.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for
managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern
Ireland and the border counties of Ireland and has a total value of €1.14bn.
PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
Further information on the WEST project can be found at www.west-project.com