The provision of high quality drinking water is of "paramount importance" to Northern Ireland, it was claimed today.
The DUP’s Mr Peter Robinson, the North’s Regional Development minister insisted it was the Water Service's highest priority at the official opening of a new £12.3 million sterling water station in Carrickfergus, serving east Antrim and north Belfast.
The new Dorisland Treatment Works will serve 30,000 customers in north Belfast, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Islandmagee and treat 50 megalitres of water per day.
A total of £9.5 million was spent on the water treatment works and a further £2.8 million on a new pumping station and pipelines to guarantee the safe transmission of water.
The new works was built on the site of the old Dorisland works which it has replaced. It has also replaced the Lough Mourne Water Treatment Works.
PA