NI Water’s £4.2m Foyle Street project wins national infrastructure award
NI Water’s £4.2 million Foyle Street infrastructure upgrade in Derry has received national recognition after winning a prestigious award at the 2026 British Construction & Infrastructure Awards in London.
The Foyle Street Network Upgrades Project was named winner of the Upgrade & Renewal Award, recognising the modernisation of century-old water and wastewater infrastructure in the heart of the city.
Completed in 2025, the project has helped reduce the risk of sewer flooding, improve the resilience of the local drainage network and support future development in Derry city centre.
Foyle Street project recognised for engineering excellence
The British Construction & Infrastructure Awards recognise outstanding achievements in construction and infrastructure delivery, including projects that provide lasting benefits for communities and the environment.
Judges praised the Foyle Street scheme for its collaborative approach and the successful replacement of ageing infrastructure.
The judging panel described the project as an outstanding example of teamwork, highlighting the replacement of a Victorian-era combined sewer with separate foul and stormwater drainage systems.
The judges also recognised the project’s contribution to climate resilience and carbon savings.
The award represents further recognition for the scheme, which previously received a BREEAM Infrastructure rating of Very Good for its approach to sustainability.
NI Water celebrates national award success
NI Water Project Manager Kieran Grant welcomed the recognition, praising the organisations and individuals involved in delivering the complex city-centre project.
“We are delighted that the Foyle Street Network Upgrades Project has received this prestigious industry recognition,” he said.
“This award reflects the commitment, collaboration and expertise demonstrated by the entire project team throughout the delivery of what was a complex and challenging scheme in the heart of Derry city centre.”
Mr Grant thanked contractor BSG PHACE, design partner Arup and project stakeholders, including Derry City and Strabane District Council, Translink, the Department for Communities and the City Centre Initiative.
He said engagement with local businesses and the wider community had been essential to the project’s success.
The completed improvements will deliver long-term benefits by reducing the risk of sewer flooding, strengthening network resilience and supporting future growth and development.
Century-old water and sewer network modernised
The £4.2 million project involved upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure dating back approximately 100 years between Shipquay Place and Water Street.
The works included installing 400 metres of dedicated stormwater sewer and a new foul sewer, separating a section of the existing combined drainage system.
A further 170 metres of water main was installed, while more than 50 property connections along Foyle Street were upgraded.
Separating stormwater from wastewater reduces the pressure placed on the sewer network during periods of heavy rainfall, helping to lower the risk of flooding and pollution.
More than 130 site operatives worked on the project, including apprentices, placement students and engineering trainees.
The workforce completed almost 34,000 working hours during construction.
The project was completed in 2025, with Foyle Street and associated facilities returned to use ahead of schedule.
Local businesses praised for cooperation during works
Jim Roddy of the City Centre Initiative congratulated everyone involved in delivering the award-winning project.
He said the work had been undertaken in a challenging city-centre environment, with the project team responding promptly to difficulties as they arose.
Mr Roddy highlighted the importance of listening to local traders and managing disruption throughout construction.
He also praised the team’s efforts to complete the work ahead of schedule, allowing the area to reopen before Christmas.
In addition to the infrastructure improvements, the project delivered community benefits, including a public art initiative and the installation of a publicly accessible defibrillator.
Mr Roddy said these additions would leave a lasting legacy beyond the essential engineering works.
Investment supports Derry’s future development
The Foyle Street upgrade forms part of NI Water’s wider investment in modernising essential infrastructure across Northern Ireland.
By replacing ageing pipes and separating wastewater from stormwater, the project has improved the capacity and resilience of a key section of Derry’s drainage network.
The improvements are also intended to support future development by addressing infrastructure limitations that had previously placed pressure on the city’s water and wastewater systems.
The latest national award recognises both the engineering achievements of the scheme and the collaborative approach taken by NI Water, its contractors and the local community.
External link: NI Water — Foyle Street project receives sustainability award
Other news: NI Water highlights natural flood prevention during awareness week