According to a recently published Ministerial report, the cash has been set aside as part of a ‘Supplementary Agreement’ with the Contractor “with incentives to mitigate any further… slippage” in the £75m project.

Work on the project began in 2017, with plans initially to have it finished by 2022, though these have now been pushed back to October 2023.

According to a background report from the Infrastructure Department, it recently emerged that some unnamed “constraints” within the project had been identified as likely to have a “greater impact than had originally been appreciated.” 

It goes on to state that “two additional Sub-Phases” of the project will be created to mitigate against any more delays. 

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Pictured: The decision was signed off by Infrastructure Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis.

According to the report, which accompanied a decision signed off by Infrastructure Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis,  “sufficient funds are available in the [Sewage Treatment Works] project risk contingencies for up to £500,000 commitment required in 2021 for the Variation.” 

In addition, an overall project budget increase of £1.85m to adapt to the pandemic has been earmarked in Government Plan 2022-25 for use next year, or across the three years if necessary.

Last week, a new Tanker Import Facility, which processes liquid waste from properties not connected to the sewerage system, was set up as part of the project.

Speaking about the project, Deputy Lewis said: “I expect the other parts of the new Sewage Treatment Works will be constructed and brought into use in a phased approach, to provide further immediate benefits to the local community.”