Irish Water, working in partnership with Louth County Council , is progressing with plans to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in Omeath to end the unacceptable practice of discharging untreated raw sewage to Carlingford Lough.

The delivery of the wastewater project will ensure that wastewater is adequately treated and meets appropriate standards before being safely discharged into the marine environment.

The project will include the following works:

• construction of a new wastewater treatment plant to serve a population equivalent of 1,600;
• a new network pump station with emergency storage;
• the installation of new sewer pipelines to bring untreated wastewater to the plant and the treated effluent to the existing outfall pipe;
• the upgrade and extension of the existing outfall pipe by approximately 50m to safely discharge treated effluent to Carlingford Lough in compliance with regulatory standards.

Once completed, benefits to the region will include the end of the current practice of discharging untreated wastewater into Carlingford Lough which will significantly improve the water quality in the area and enhance the environmental amenity of Omeath.

The project is being delivered by Veolia Water Ireland Limited on behalf of Irish Water - works are due to commence on site in the coming weeks.

Commenting on the project, Colm Claffey, Irish Water said:

“Wastewater infrastructure that is fit for purpose is essential in order to support business and social development in the community. These works will support existing and future residential and commercial development by ensuring adequate capacity for future growth in the area while also improving the overall performance of the sewer network, helping to safeguard the environment.”

Irish Water said it is committed to ending the unacceptable practice of discharging raw sewage in Ireland by constructing wastewater treatment plants and network infrastructure.