A concise history

Kilkeel to Annalong 1972 - 1976

In the late 60s the original conduit between the Kilkeel River intake (now the location of the Silent Valley Reservoir) and the Annalong Valley was showing signs of deterioration. Even though it had been duplicated between 1947 and 1950, the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners recognised that they needed the combined carrying capacity of the twin-pipe system. Therefore, to alleviate the capacity problem, Lee Construction, supervised by the Commissioners' engineers, laid a further 4.5 miles of 54in diameter pre-stressed concrete pipes.

Laying pre-stressed concrete pipes

Annalong to Sl.Donard 1982 - 1983

During the 1970s the new Department of the Environment, which had taken over the responsibilities of the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners, carried out an internal survey to ascertain the condition of the section of original conduit between the Annalong Valley and the Donard Tunnel. This survey confirmed that the conduit, then over 70 years old, was in very poor condition. A contract was awarded to WAM to replace this 8km section with pre-stressed concrete pipes. Included in the scope of works was the lining of part of the Donard rock tunnel with segmental precast concrete liners. The contract was designed and supervised by Water Service.

Re-lining the Donard Tunnel

Aquarius 1999 - 2004

Huge water pipes delivered around the countryside by lorry

The original Mourne Conduit successfully served the people of North Down and the Greater Belfast area for the best part of the 20th century and proved to be a significant piece of Victorian engineering. However, investigative studies carried out in the late 1990s into the structural integrity of the system, showed that works needed to be carried out to maintain quality standards and safeguard the long-term operation of this vast water channel which serves almost a fifth of Northern Ireland's population.

Water pipes being welded together before being buried for perhaps the next hundred years?

The upgrade project was given the name Aquarius, and like Macassey's scheme, it was devised in three stages starting in May 1999. Stages one and two, which were carried out by Farrans (Construction) Ltd, related to the replacement of a significant portion of the conduit with 1300mm and 1200mm diameter pressurised pipeline and the construction of supporting infrastructure such as a major new pumping station at Drumaroad in Co. Down. Although the Aquarius scheme employed many innovative techniques and the most up-to-date technology, it has to be said that indeed many of the construction methods have mirrored that of previous pipe laying contracts carried out as part of the original Mourne Water Scheme.

Stage three of the project, which is due for completion in 2004, involves the construction of Northern Ireland's largest water treatment works. This latest scheme, which is also at Drumaroad, will be capable of treating up to 155 million litres of water per day. It is being undertaken by a consortium partnership between Earth Tech Engineering Ltd and Farrans.

New pumping station

Although, Macassey's choice of the Mournes did indeed find a source of 'pure and wholesome water', changes in legislation now dictate that drinking water must be treated to meet more demanding quality standards as set by the EC Drinking Water Directive.

Just like our ancestors of more than 100 years ago, future generations can rest assured that the Mourne Water Supply Scheme will continue to meet the expectations of customers for many years to come.

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This article was written by Jacqui Thompson.
Both the article and the archive photographs appear by courtesy of the NI Water Service. Thanks must also go to Neil Ross, Norman Ervine and John Newell for their help in sourcing photographs and information.

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Relevant links:

100 Years celebrated
In May 2003 a bronze plaque was unveiled by the Water Service at the Silent Valley Reservoir to celebrate one hundred years of drinking water from the Mourne Mountains and to pay tribute to the skill and dedication of all those who were involved in the construction of the Mourne Water Scheme. Click here to read about it.

The Binnian Tunnel
There is also a large section of this website devoted to the story of the Binnian Tunnel, where you can read about the task and listen to those who carried it out. Click Here to see it.

Remembering those who lost their lives
In 2006 a special plaque was unveiled and trees were planted at the Silent Valley in memory of the men who lost their lives in the building of the Silent Valley and the Ben Crom dams. click here to read about it...

Water Service of Northern Ireland - http://www.waterni.gov.uk/

YOUR RESPONSES

Ken Blackbourn - April '06
I am doing a project at school on water works and want to feature Drumaroad - I have a few questions - can anyone tell me:
- How big is the site?
- Can schoolchildren visit?
- How many workers are employed on the site?
- does this area ever have water shortages - and if so what is the approach when this happens?
- Any other interesting facts?

Gerry Curran - April '05
Hello
This is a very interesting article on Water from the Mourne Mountains and well presented. One little query though - why no mention or reference material about the Leitrim Reservoir at Hilltown?This was constructed by the Newry No1 Rural District Council in conjunction with the Portadown and Banbridge Water Board. It was known at that time as the Rathfriland Water Scheme. If you would like further information please contact me.