UK-based GRAHAM's civil division has completed the construction of a new water storage tank project at Fofanny, County Down, Northern Ireland.

This project was undertaken on behalf of Northern Ireland Water (NI Water).

The £9m improvement project is expected to ensure the security of water supply for approximately 76,000 customers of NI Water in large areas of County Down.

Construction work on this development began in March last year.

The scope of the project included the building of a new water storage tank with a capacity of ten million litres, which is equivalent to the size of four Olympic-sized swimming pools.

GRAHAM teamed up with environmental consultant RPS Group and designers ACEOM and TES to help finish the upgrade work.

The construction phase saw no disruption to the supply of water to NI Water customers.

GRAHAM contracts manager Ciaran Moohan said: “We are delighted to have delivered this project at Fofanny, with RPS Group and our supply chain for NI Water.

“This was a complex project in a scenic and rural setting which presented many challenges for our design team AECOM and TES, along with the construction crew on site.

“A great achievement for the team - which will provide improved local water supply for many years to come.”

Kilkeel, Rathfriland, Castlewellan, and Dromore are among some of the areas to benefit from Fofanny’s new clear water tank.

NI Water infrastructure director Tzvetelina Bogonia said: “The upgrade will provide additional water supply to customers, particularly during high-demand emergency situations, when we may need additional time to shut down the main plant while we complete other planned maintenance to our water supply network.

“I would like to thank the NI Water project team, including contractor GRAHAM and RPS, who provided project management and technical support.

“This major project will provide improved local water supply for many years to come.”