NORTHERN Ireland Water has awarded repair and upgrade contracts worth a combined £240 million to three local businesses - Meridian Utilities, McAllister Brothers and Road Safety Contracts.
The contracts support the utility in meeting its strategic priorities by providing repair and maintenance services to the region's extensive network of water mains and sewers.
The biggest slice of the pie goes to Meridian Utilities, a joint venture company consisting of Morrow Contracts, Mills Contracts and T O’Connell & Sons. It is based in Gilnahirk, with satellite offices in Dungiven and Omagh.
Meridian will support NI Water through a £184 million water and waste water networks services contract, providing a range of water and sewerage services, including sewer and water main repairs and maintenance,leakage repairs, street furniture maintenance and minor water and sewerage infrastructure improvements.
McAllister Brothers was established in 1971 as a family-run business. Headquartered in Newry, with offices in London, Belfast, Eglington and Horton, its group of companies employs more than 130 staff and operates a fleet of nearly 100 vehicles across its Ireland and Britain divisions.
The new contract will provide NI Water with strategic support in the delivery of sewer network maintenance activities including clearing of sewer blockages, cleaning of sewer network and CCTV surveys with an estimated value of £43 million.
Set up in 1983 by three brothers, Eamon, Joseph and John McHugh, Road Safety Contracts (RSC Group) operates in the waste management, environmental maintenance and road marking sectors.
With a contract to the value of £13m, RSC will support NI Water by desludging septic tanks for those customers not connected to the sewer network.
Jane Mellor, head of procurement at NI Water, said: “The tender process here was rigorous, and I'm delighted awarding such a high value contract to three local businesses.
“Day in, day out, every single night and day of the year, no matter the weather, the successful contractors will work closely with NI Water to make sure high quality drinking water comes out of everyone’s taps and that sewage is safely taken away from our homes, businesses and public buildings.”
