A new underground sewer station – at a cost of £800,000 – is to be built at Umgola, at its junction with the Killylea Road, Armagh I can reveal.
The wastewater pumping station will be located on a small car park opposite the Umgola shops.
A proposal for the works will be publicly advertised in the coming week.
The plans have been submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for consideration.
The development may not sit well with some in the area.
But NI Water insists that it is necessary and will help reduce future risk of flooding in the area.
The work is in addition to a multi-million sewerage works scheme across Armagh City which was due to end on Friday (January 27).
A spokesperson for NI Water confirmed the plans to Armagh I.
He said an Armagh area drainage study had identified a requirement for “major infrastructure improvements to the entire Armagh catchment” to comply with Northern Ireland Environment Agency standards.
The spokesperson added: “The Killylea Wastewater Pumping Station (WwPS) project will ultimately facilitate the relocation and upgrading of the existing Killylea WwPS from the existing site directly behind the business premises to the new site in the car park at the Killylea Road and Umgola Road junction.
“The new station will involve an underground reinforced concrete structure with ground level access covers and above ground control kiosks and telemetry pole.”
NI Water has highlighted the need and benefits of progressing with the work at this stage.
The spokesperson said: “This local investment will reduce risk of out-of-sewer flooding particularly in the Drelincourt area, prevent premature storm-sewage overflows to the local Callan River and help facilitate future development, all of which is vitally important to this area.
“It will also help resolve ongoing maintenance issues, associated local disruption and significantly improve the visual aspect of the existing WwPS site.
“These improvements will deliver benefits for local community and visitors to the Killylea area for many years to come.”
The ABC Council will return a decision within the coming months but it is fully expected approval would be given.
The precise location is 21 metres east of No 20 Killylea Road, at the “junction of Killylea Road and Umgola Road, in a private car park opposite a row of shops”.
The site will also be surrounded by bollards to prevent vehicle access – either intentionally or accidental – when complete.
*Main picture for illustration purposes only.
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