Irish Water, working in partnership with Mayo County Council, has officially opened the new wastewater treatment plant in Belmullet, Co Mayo.
The €9 million plant will benefit over 1,000 local people and visitors to the town and provide the capacity to treat wastewater for a population of up to 2,500 people.
The new wastewater treatment plant at Corclough, together with a new treated water outfall into Blacksod Bay, will also bring benefits to the town and surrounding areas in terms of health, environmental protection and improved water quality for all.
The development was officially opened by Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural & Community Development and Councillor Blackie Gavin, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.
Speaking at the event Colm Claffey, Irish Water said:
“The new wastewater treatment plant will ensure that wastewater is treated and discharged in compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations 2001 and conditions as set out in the EPA’s Wastewater Discharge Licence (WWDL). This project will also improve the water quality of nearby coastal areas, protecting bathing areas and the aquatic environment from pollution.”
Belmullet was one of 44 towns around Ireland where wastewater was discharged untreated - the new wastewater treatment plant has ended the practice in the town.
Contractors Roadbridge and EPS carried out the works on behalf of Irish Water.
Irish Water is investing a further €19 million in sewerage schemes in Killala, Foxford and Charlestown. The Killala Sewerage Scheme will stop untreated wastewater being discharged directly into Killala Bay and the Foxford and Charlestown sewerage schemes will provide new and upgraded treatment plants for the towns to meet the current populations and will provide for future growth in the areas.
Also in Mayo, water treatment plants in Mulranny, Kiltimagh, Swinford, Foxford, Erris, Wherrew, Newport, Westport, and Louisburgh are undergoing upgrades to improve the performance of the plants.
Since 2014 the water company has upgraded or built new wastewater treatment plants in 55 locations across the country including 12 towns where raw sewage was going directly into the water.
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