Lisburn-based StormHarvester,
a new technology start-up, has developed a Smart Control System to monitor and control water and waste-water levels within drainage networks.

This” reduces the volume of mains water required by new buildings — and the volume of sewage that overflows from drainage networks into rivers, lakes and the sea — by using rainfall forecasts to regulate storm-water and waste-water networks”.

The system is currently being installed in developments in Northern Ireland and the UK.

Brian Moloney, founder of StormHarvester (www.stormharvester.com), said: “Sewage overflow is a major issue in urban areas, due to outdated sewerage networks.

“Our cloud-based system takes core principles and expertise in water forecast drainage control and applies them to regulate entire urban sewage networks effectively.

"It is designed to make drainage systems ‘smart’, so that preventive action can be taken to reduce flooding and damage.

"This would not have been possible without Invest Northern Ireland’s financial support, expert advice and guidance to bring the product to market.”

Invest NI has offered the company £121,000 of assistance towards R&D, as well as trade support to visit new markets.

The system is being used by Hillsborough Castle and Gardens — and by a property in London’s Grosvenor Square.

As well as individual establishments, the company is now working with water utilities around the UK and in Europe to reduce network overflows and protect the environment.