McGrigors advises Glen Water on wastewater treatment contract

Northern Ireland, March 12, 2007 -- UK law firm McGrigors LLP helped advise Glen Water Ltd on the GBP 122 million contract it has been awarded by Water Service to deliver its Waste Water Treatment and Sludge Disposal Project, Project Omega.

McGrigors acted for Glen Water Ltd, a joint venture company between two leading water and construction companies, Thames Water and Laing O'Rourke, which will be responsible for delivering Project Omega, one of the UK's largest Public Private Partnership schemes. The project will enable Northern Ireland to comply with strict EU standards and regulations on wastewater treatment and sludge disposal.

The Omega Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Project will upgrade wastewater treatment facilities responsible for around 20 percent of Northern Ireland's wastewater treatment capacity and 100 percent of sludge disposal. It represents savings in excess of 17 percent from Water Service's initial estimates.

Drysdale Graham, a senior partner in the McGrigors' Project Team, said: "We are pleased to have been involved in this ground breaking infrastructure project continuing a relationship with Thames Water which has run for over 10 years now. We have now acted in the majority of PFI Waste Water projects to have been let in the UK to date. We have been operating in Northern Ireland for a number of years and this is the latest in series of projects there which we have taken to financial close."

Commenting on the contract win Jim Conlon, General Manager of Glen Water Ltd, said: "This is a signature project for Northern Ireland and we are looking forward to working closely with the Water Service to provide a long-term, cost effective wastewater and sludge disposal solution."

"By working in partnership with local contractors and the local community, we are committed to delivering a sustainable, reliable service that will create cleaner beaches, protect public health and help safeguard the environment," he continued.