The construction of the Fofanny Water Treatment Works, the first underground water treatment works in Ireland, presented a myriad of challenges. Aesthetically, the team had to produce an integrated design that would be accepted by the thousands of people who live, work and visit the Mournes area, and operationally, the team had to develop a value-for-money water treatment solution.The emphasis was on innovation: the techniques, processes and procurement routes were to be delivered in a way that would shape the future of construction in Northern Ireland. Since its commissioning in 2006, the project has attracted attention from industry and the public alike.