The Mourne Conduit was a water main which ran 42 kilometres (26 mi) from the Silent Valley Reservoir to Carryduff, near Belfast and was built between 1893 and 1901 for the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners . This was supplemented by additional pipelines twice in the 20th Century. This system supplied water to Greater Belfast and North Down for more than 100 years. It is labelled as the Mourne Aqueduct in Ordnance Survey maps from the early 20th century.
32-1006: This system was replaced by the Aquarius Line , a dual pipeline between the Mourne Mountains and the Purdysburn Service Reservoir in Belfast which was constructed along with associated infrastructure as part of the Aquarius Mourne Water Project. The system provides water to approximately 20% of Northern Ireland's population. In 1891, the Belfast Water Commissioners (BWC and later the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners or BC&DWC) hired Luke Livingston Macassey to investigate options for
64-827: A division of the Department of the Environment . In 1996, the Water Executive became an executive agency and was rebranded as the Northern Ireland Water Service and, in 1999, responsibility for water transferred to the Department for Regional Development. The Northern Ireland Water Service became Northern Ireland Water in April 2007. Mourne Conduit The Mourne Conduit was a water main which ran 42 kilometres (26 mi) from
96-524: A maximum of 2,796 feet above sea-level, Slieve Donard being the highest mountain within the area. It is practically devoid of trees, being covered with heather, gorse, and bracken where not granite rock and boulders. The average rainfall on the area is 57.6 inches per annum. It is drained by two streams : on the west, the Kilkeel river flowing due south, and the Annalong river, lying parallel to and to
128-413: A maximum of 2,796 feet above sea-level, Slieve Donard being the highest mountain within the area. It is practically devoid of trees, being covered with heather, gorse, and bracken where not granite rock and boulders. The average rainfall on the area is 57.6 inches per annum. It is drained by two streams : on the west, the Kilkeel river flowing due south, and the Annalong river, lying parallel to and to
160-573: A reservoir near Carryduff . These water pipes and tunnels were capable of supplying 10 million imperial gallons (45,000 m ) of water per day. Work was completed in 1901. The second stage was to build a storage reservoir, the Silent Valley Reservoir across the Kilkeel River, to supply another 10 million imperial gallons (45,000 m ) of water per day. Design work on this phase began in 1910, but procurement of
192-592: A shortfall in supply of almost one million gallons per day. In 1889 the body's name was changed to Belfast City and District Water Commissioners in recognition of the expanding boundaries of Belfast and resulting increased demand for water. Major infrastructure completed for the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners includes the Mourne Conduit , the Mourne Wall , Silent Valley Reservoir ,
224-534: A source of an additional water supply for the expanding city of Belfast . Macassey selected the Mourne Mountains for the reasons summarised in a 1935 report: The portion of the Mourne Mountains acquired by the Commissioners totals approximately 9,000 acres. It is all mountainland [sic], uninhabited, and a large part of it is rocky and precipitous. It extends from about 330 feet above sea-level to
256-404: A source of an additional water supply for the expanding city of Belfast . Macassey selected the Mourne Mountains for the reasons summarised in a 1935 report: The portion of the Mourne Mountains acquired by the Commissioners totals approximately 9,000 acres. It is all mountainland [sic], uninhabited, and a large part of it is rocky and precipitous. It extends from about 330 feet above sea-level to
288-525: A £13 million contract to Graham Construction for an expansion of water treatment facilities at the works. Belfast City and District Water Commissioners The Belfast Water Commissioners was a public body in Ireland and later Northern Ireland, established by the Belfast Water Act 1840 , to improve the supply of water to the expanding city of Belfast. By 1852, the city was suffering
320-464: The Binnian Tunnel and Ben Crom Reservoir . The Water Commissioners' responsibilities were transferred to the Department of the Environment's Water Executive in 1974 and are now managed by Northern Ireland Water . The Belfast Water Commissioners was a public body established by the Belfast Water Act 1840 , to improve the supply of water to the expanding city of Belfast. By 1852, the city
352-546: The Silent Valley Reservoir to Carryduff, near Belfast and was built between 1893 and 1901 for the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners . This was supplemented by additional pipelines twice in the 20th Century. This system supplied water to Greater Belfast and North Down for more than 100 years. It is labelled as the Mourne Aqueduct in Ordnance Survey maps from the early 20th century. This system
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#1732771829788384-618: The Annalong river instead diverted into the Silent Valley Reservoir via the Binnian Tunnel which was completed in 1952. Due to increased demand, the Mourne Conduit was supplemented by additional pipeline sections between 1934 and 1937, mainly in the Newcastle and Ballynahinch valleys. In 1947, a three year construction project commenced which saw the installation of a second conduit between Silent Valley and
416-420: The Annalong river instead diverted into the Silent Valley Reservoir via the Binnian Tunnel which was completed in 1952. Due to increased demand, the Mourne Conduit was supplemented by additional pipeline sections between 1934 and 1937, mainly in the Newcastle and Ballynahinch valleys. In 1947, a three year construction project commenced which saw the installation of a second conduit between Silent Valley and
448-534: The Dunnywater Straining Well above Annalong. Between 1949 and 1956 Farrans was contracted to lay the "triplicate conduit" to increase the capacity of the system. That company would later work on the replacement Aquarius Line. By the 1970s the BC&;DWC's responsibilities had been assumed by the Department of the Environment . This body carried out a survey of the conduit which established
480-400: The Dunnywater Straining Well above Annalong. Between 1949 and 1956 Farrans was contracted to lay the "triplicate conduit" to increase the capacity of the system. That company would later work on the replacement Aquarius Line. By the 1970s the BC&DWC's responsibilities had been assumed by the Department of the Environment . This body carried out a survey of the conduit which established
512-576: The Mourne Conduit was identified in the early 1990s by the Water Executive . This ultimately resulted in the Aquarius Mourne Water Project, a three phase £62 million project to replace the Mourne Conduit and pipelines with new 900mm and 1200mm pipelines laid concurrently, along with associated infrastructure. The system provides water to approximately 20% of Northern Ireland's population. In 2020, NI Water awarded
544-424: The Mourne Conduit was identified in the early 1990s by the Water Executive . This ultimately resulted in the Aquarius Mourne Water Project, a three phase £62 million project to replace the Mourne Conduit and pipelines with new 900mm and 1200mm pipelines laid concurrently, along with associated infrastructure. The system provides water to approximately 20% of Northern Ireland's population. In 2020, NI Water awarded
576-426: The diversion of the Kilkeel and Annalong rivers into the new pipeline, the construction of a reservoir at Carryduff , and associated infrastructure. The Mourne Conduit consists of 7 miles of tunnel, 16 miles of concrete culvert and 12 miles of pressure pipeline. The second phase saw the completion of the Silent Valley Reservoir in 1933. Plans for the third phase reservoir in the Annalong valley were abandoned, with
608-423: The diversion of the Kilkeel and Annalong rivers into the new pipeline, the construction of a reservoir at Carryduff , and associated infrastructure. The Mourne Conduit consists of 7 miles of tunnel, 16 miles of concrete culvert and 12 miles of pressure pipeline. The second phase saw the completion of the Silent Valley Reservoir in 1933. Plans for the third phase reservoir in the Annalong valley were abandoned, with
640-482: The east of the Kilkeel river, draining the Annalong Valley. The catchment of the Kilkeel river is 5,500 acres in extent, that of the Annalong river being 3,500 acres. The water of both these rivers is similar and of excellent quality, having 2 degrees of hardness . Macassey proposed a three stage project, with the Mourne Conduit part of the first phase. Construction occurred between 1893 and 1901 and involved
672-416: The east of the Kilkeel river, draining the Annalong Valley. The catchment of the Kilkeel river is 5,500 acres in extent, that of the Annalong river being 3,500 acres. The water of both these rivers is similar and of excellent quality, having 2 degrees of hardness . Macassey proposed a three stage project, with the Mourne Conduit part of the first phase. Construction occurred between 1893 and 1901 and involved
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#1732771829788704-640: The following grounds: The border was ultimately unchanged, leaving the Mourne catchment area and water infrastructure within Northern Ireland. The powers vested in the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners were transferred to the Minister of Development on 1 October 1973. Provision of water and sewerage services became the responsibility of the Water Service by 1 January 1974, itself
736-731: The largest lake in the British Isles, would have been an abundant source of water, however water quality was a concern and its altitude meant that water would have to be pumped to Belfast. Other sources in County Down , and County Antrim were rejected: Macassey ultimately selected the Mourne Mountains in Down. Upon deciding on the site, the Water Commissioners acquired a 9,000-acre (3,600 ha) catchment area; Private Acts of Parliament (in 1893, 1897 and 1899) allowed
768-495: The need for more office space. It was purchased by Marks & Spencer in 1983 and became part of its extended city centre store. The Irish Boundary Commission was established in 1924 to decide on the delineation of the border between the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. The BC&DWC made representations to that body, objecting to any movement of the border north from the existing County Down boundary on
800-464: The purchase of the Mournes land and related access permits and water rights. At the time the catchment was capable of providing some 30 million imperial gallons (140,000 m ) of water per day, however because this was more than was required at that point, a three phase scheme was developed. The first stage was to divert water from the Kilkeel and Annalong rivers through the Mourne Conduit to
832-480: The requirement to replace the 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) section of conduit between the Annalong valley and the Donard Tunnel with pre-stressed concrete pipes. These works also include the lining of the tunnel through Slieve Donard with precast concrete liners. Lime dosing plants were built in 1985 along the route of the conduit at Silent Valley, Dunmore, and Carryduff. 6 identical lodges were built along
864-415: The requirement to replace the 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) section of conduit between the Annalong valley and the Donard Tunnel with pre-stressed concrete pipes. These works also include the lining of the tunnel through Slieve Donard with precast concrete liners. Lime dosing plants were built in 1985 along the route of the conduit at Silent Valley, Dunmore, and Carryduff. 6 identical lodges were built along
896-477: The route of the conduit for "water attendants" or "linesman" between 1899 and 1901. These attendants monitored the conduit, flushed valves, and carried out general maintenance work. They had access through boundaries via red gates marked with "BWC" along the route. The 6 lodges are at Tullybranigan near Newcastle, Ballybannon and Drumanaquoile near Castlewellan , and Dunmore, Ballykine and Brae Road (Creevytenant), near Ballynahinch. The requirement to replace
928-471: The route of the conduit for "water attendants" or "linesman" between 1899 and 1901. These attendants monitored the conduit, flushed valves, and carried out general maintenance work. They had access through boundaries via red gates marked with "BWC" along the route. The 6 lodges are at Tullybranigan near Newcastle, Ballybannon and Drumanaquoile near Castlewellan , and Dunmore, Ballykine and Brae Road (Creevytenant), near Ballynahinch. The requirement to replace
960-472: The work was delayed by World War I . A contract was eventually awarded in 1923 to S. Pearson & Son and work continued until 1933. The commissioners were responsible for the construction of the Mourne Wall which encloses the catchment area. Northern Ireland Water began to restore in this structure in 2017. In 1938, the commissioners purchased a building now known as the Water Office due to
992-504: Was replaced by the Aquarius Line , a dual pipeline between the Mourne Mountains and the Purdysburn Service Reservoir in Belfast which was constructed along with associated infrastructure as part of the Aquarius Mourne Water Project. The system provides water to approximately 20% of Northern Ireland's population. In 1891, the Belfast Water Commissioners (BWC and later the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners or BC&DWC) hired Luke Livingston Macassey to investigate options for
Mourne Conduit - Misplaced Pages Continue
1024-427: Was suffering a shortfall in supply of almost one million gallons per day. In 1889, the expansion of Belfast's boundaries and increased demand for water lead to the change of name to Belfast City and District Water Commissioners or BC&DWC. In 1891, the Commissioners appointed local civil engineer, Luke Livingston Macassey to identify water resources to sustain Belfast. Macassey ruled out Lough Neagh which, as
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