Irish Water is progressing with plans for a number of new projects which involve the construction of three new wastewater treatment plants.
In County Clare, the water company is working in partnership with Clare County Council on plans for a proposed new wastewater treatment plant in Ballyvaughan.
Wastewater in the Ballyvaughan area is currently treated by a septic tank system which discharges untreated effluent into Ballyvaughan Bay through an outfall. The discharge of wastewater threatens water quality, damages the amenity value of the area and does not comply with EU regulations relating to the treatment of wastewater.
The project will involve building a new wastewater treatment plant to serve a population equivalent of 1,050 as well as a new pumping station and 1.4km of new sewer pipelines.
The utility is also progressing the Castletownbere Sewerage Scheme in partnership with Cork County Council, which will end the unacceptable practice of discharging raw sewage into Bantry Bay.
At present the equivalent of 1700 wheelie bins of untreated sewage are being discharged into the bay every day. To rectify this long-standing issue, Irish Water and Cork County Council are planning to build a new wastewater treatment plant and associated network to ensure that any discharge to the bay meets all appropriate discharge standards.
The new pipes, pumping station and treatment plant have all been sized to accommodate projected growth in the local population.
Finally, Irish Water is working with Galway County Council on progressing plans to build a much-needed wastewater treatment plant in Roundstone which will end the discharge of the equivalent of 645 wheelie bins of raw sewage into Roundstone Bay every day.
As part of the project three new underground pumping stations will also be built to transfer wastewater from the network to the new plant. Wastewater from the village is currently collected in the existing sewer system and is discharged with no treatment in three separate locations into Roundstone Bay.
The new plant, which will serve a population of approximately 1,000 people and also allow for growth and development in Roundstone and surrounding areas.
The projects forms part of Irish Water’s investment plan. Works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Irish Water’s Business Plan. Delivery of the business plan involves a €5.5 billion investment in capital spending on drinking water and wastewater quality and capacity and new infrastructure up to 2021.
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