NI Water are proud to host this engaging talk from renowned Chartered Engineer, Dr Philip Donald, who will provide a unique insight into the engineering triumph of the Silent Valley Dam. Belfast’s population had increased from 20,000 in 1800 to 350,000 in 1900 and there was a need for increasing quantities of good water throughout this century. Civil engineer, L Livingston Macassey, designed and built reservoirs above Carrickfergus and Lisburn. However, by 1890 Belfast was running short of water. Philip explores how this resulted in the building of the spectacular Silent Valley Dam in the Mourne Mountains and the problems the engineers had to overcome to secure the water supply we rely on today.