Northern Ireland New Members’ Group visit to Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works | BELFAST | IN-PERSON

Hosted by the CIWEM Northern Ireland New Members' Group

Event description

Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works is one of eight major wastewater treatment works around Belfast Lough located in the Duncrue docks area of the city and is the largest wastewater facility owned and operated by Northern Ireland Water. It was built in two stages between 1992 and 1999 and serves the city centre, as well as parts of south and west Belfast.

The plant was designed to treat a domestic and trade population equivalent (PE) of 290,00, using a conventional Activated Sludge Process (ASP) prior to discharge into Belfast Lough. However, recent flow survey figures put the actual PE at over 500,000, resulting in it severely exceeding its capacity to treat effluent and meet existing discharge standards.

To resolve this issue, work has been undertaken as part of the Living With Water Programme (LWWP) to add two additional aeration lanes to the process, which should be operational later in 2024. As well as providing more treatment capacity, it will allow Northern Ireland Water to carry out essential maintenance on the existing aeration lanes which has not been possible due to the increase in PE.

Northern Ireland Water are hosting this in-person site visit organised by the CIWEM Norther Ireland New Members’ group. The tour will be guided by project managers, Ashley Johnston and Adrian Black, who will present on the environmental modelling for Belfast Lough and provide an overview of the current contracts and design of the Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works upgrades respectively.

Both CIWEM members and non-members are welcome to attend this technical site visit, which is aimed at those who are interested finding out more about the work undertaken at the Belfast Wastewater Treatment Works and how this helps to deliver the aims of the Living With Water Programme and protect the Special Protection Area, SPA and Shellfish Water Protected Areas in the Belfast Lough.

There will be time to find out more about CIWEM membership and chartership and how it can support your career at the end of the visit.

Please note that as this site handles wastewater effluent, visitors should wear PPE while on the site, including a Hi Vis vest/jacket and a hard hat. If you do not have your own PPE, please let Ashleigh Brown know well in advance of the visit.

Part of the CIWEM Wastewater and Biosolids series.

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Booking and joining information

This event is open to members and non-members of CIWEM.

Please note there is limited capacity at this event. Bookings must be made through 'My CIWEM' using the above booking link. Non-members who have not registered for the MyCIWEM system can create an account on the booking page in order to reserve their place.

If you have any questions about your booking or would like to cancel your attendance, please contact barbara.woods@ciwem.org.

Please note that registrations close at 09:00 on Friday 13 June 2025. If you have not registered by then, unfortunately we cannot add you to the event.

If you have any queries about this visit, please contact Ashleigh Brown at Ashleigh.Brown@atkinsrealis.com.

About the venue and getting there

The event will take place at Northern Ireland Water Heritage Centre, Duncrue Street, Belfast, County Antrim BT3 9JB United Kingdom

Travelling to the venue

As part of CIWEM’s commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency we would encourage delegates to use the most environmentally sustainable means of transport possible.

By car

If you are coming by car, please consider sharing the journey with others to reduce your environmental footprint.

As this is an in-person event, please remain vigilant to control the spread of COVID-19 and stay safe.

We request that if you think you might have contracted COVID or have recently had the disease, that you do not attend the event.

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