Kinnegar WasteWater Treatment Works (WwTW) was the first and only Private Finance Initiative water project to be signed in Northern Ireland. Coastal Clearwater Ltd (CCWL), the Special Purpose Company set up for the project and in which Lagan has a 50% share, signed the contract with the Water Service to Design, Build, Finance and Operate the plan for 25 years.
The project included the design and construction of a treatment works catering for a population of 127,000. The site was an existing disposal works on the County Down coast. The new works required the upgrading of the existing plant to ensure compliance with EU discharge requirements. Thereafter CCWL were responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the plant for the remainder of the contract period. Financing for the project was 90% debt provided by Dresdner Bank and 10% equity from the sponsors. Payment is based on treatment of flow and Load (Suspended Solids and BOD) entering the plant with deductions across 36 parameters for non performance.
New works were carried out by Charles Brand (a Lagan company), with daily operation and maintenance carried out by Coastal Industrial. The plant has been operational from April 2000 and the concession will transfer to the Water Services Department at the end of the 25 year contract.
Coastal Clearwater
|
New works were carried out by Charles Brand Ltd, a Lagan company, with daily operation and maintenance carried out by Coastal Industrial Ltd.
The works on site comprised of a new Inlet Treatment Building to screen incoming flows and remove inert material, two large diameter SwirlFlo tanks to provide primary treatment and four Sequential Batch Reactors to reduce the biological component of the influent. Storm water retention was provided by utilising five existing sedimentation tanks from the existing plant. The sludge arising from the process was stored in three new tanks and two converted existing tanks. The treated sludge is transported off site for incineration. Treated effluent is discharged to the Lough on high tide only.
The new works are complete and the plant has been operational form April 2000. The concession will transfer to the Water Services Department at the end of the contract.
|