NI Water, DLJ Water and Tetra Tech welcomed more than 80 young people to Clogher Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) as part of this year’s Construction Futures Open Doors initiative.
The fully booked event gave primary pupils, secondary school students, college learners and Higher Level Apprentices the opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into the essential role of modern wastewater infrastructure and the wide range of careers that support it.
The first session, designed for primary school pupils, offered demonstrations and an introduction into wastewater treatment, from the initial stages of screening through to final effluent processes. Children were shown real equipment used on site and were encouraged to ask questions throughout, inspiring pupils to consider future STEM pathways.
The second session was tailored for older students and Higher Level Apprentices. These began with presentations from Michael Donnelly, Senior Project Manager at NI Water and Jenny Knox, SHEQ Manager at Deane Public Works, who explained the purpose of the Clogher upgrade and how investment at the site will support long-term environmental compliance and community growth.
Following the presentations, students got to see firsthand the different civil and mechanical engineering elements of the new Clogher Wastewater Treatment Works. Jack Deane, Civil Engineer at Deane Public Works and Patrick McArdle, Project Manager at Avove Ireland, guided visitors through the complex civils (building) works and explained how the new works were constructed while keeping the existing treatment facility fully operational.
The MEICA tour, which covers all of the Mechanical Electrical Instrumentation Control and Automation elements of the new facility, was delivered by Avove Ireland’s M&E Site Manager, Laura McBride, who provided a focused session for technology students keen to understand the engineering processes behind modern treatment systems.
Michael Donnelly at NI Water, said: “The Construction Futures Open Doors event at Clogher WwTW gave NI Water the opportunity to highlight how reliable wastewater services support everyday life in rural communities. By showing children firsthand how the wastewater treatment facility operates and discussing the importance of only flushing the 3Ps – pee, poo and paper – they got a better understanding of the fundamental role they play in helping NI Water to protect the local environment.”
Janet Deane, Director at DLJ Water, commented: “The Clogher upgrade represents an important investment for the local community, and the Open Doors event provided a valuable opportunity to give young people a clear view of the scale, purpose and teamwork behind delivering modern, resilient wastewater infrastructure. As a joint venture, we were pleased to open the site and show, first‑hand, the rewarding careers our industry offers. Attracting the next generation is essential as construction and engineering continue to evolve, helping to close skills gaps and support future innovation. If even a small number of the pupils and students who visited leave with a better understanding of the value of this work and an interest in pursuing a career in the sector, then the event will have achieved its aim.”
DLJ Water is a long-term joint venture between Deane Public Works, Lowry Building & Civil Engineering and Avove Ireland, established to deliver high quality, sustainable water and wastewater infrastructure across Ireland.
