Stage 1 - Proposed water supply scheme.

The scheme was subdivided into ten separate contracts as follows.

Contract no. 1. Water treatment works at the Foxes Den.

A modern treatment works was constructed to the highest standards to produce treated water to fully comply with all European Community Regulations. Treatment is by dissolved air flotation, rapid gravity sand filtration, chlorination and fluoridation. Cost £6.15 million.


- Water treatment works at Foxes Den

Contract no. 2. Weir Rehabilitation and Footbridge.

This contract involved the rehabilitation of the existing upper weir on the Garavogue River and the construction of a new footbridge across the river. This work was necessary in order to sustain the design water abstractions from Lough Gill during drought periods. In order to meet the requirements of the Department of Marine, a fish pass and counter were provided. In addition a footbridge was constructed that significantly improves access to the Mall, the Hospital and Institute of Technology Sligo from the south side of the city. Cost £1.4 million.


- Weir rehabilitation and footbridge

Contract no. 3. Distribution Mains in the Borough area.

This contract involved the construction of approximately 30km of trunk and distribution mains throughout the Borough area in order to augment the existing supply network and facilitate the transfer of treated water from the new treatment works at the Foxes Den to Sligo.

The method of construction employed was to use a technique known as directional drilling that reduced the need for excavation in the narrow roads throughout the Borough area. This technique was carried out on 32mm, 63mm, 125mm and 180mm diameter High Density Polyethylene pipework. Larger diameters pipes were laid in the traditional open cut manner. Approximately 27 kilometers of pipework were directionally drilled thereby reducing the negative effects of traffic disruption. This contract also significantly reduced the extent of leakage in the existing water supply network. Cost £6.5 million.


- 100 metre Coil of Pipeline

Contract no. 4 and 5. Mechanical and Electrical installation to the intake pumphouse and the water treatment plant.

These contracts comprised all the mechanical and electrical work associated with the supply, installation and commissioning of both the intake pumphouse and the water treatment plant. Cost £2.5 million.

Contract no. 6. Fluoridation plant installation at the Foxes Den and Carns Hill.

This contract provides for the supply, installation and commissioning of fluorine dosing at Foxes Den and refurbishment of equipment at Carns Hill. It comprises the supply, installation and commissioning of all plant items associated with the fluoridation equipment. Cost £92, 000.

Contract no. 7 & 11. Distribution mains to Ballintogher, Strandhill and Rosses Point.

This contract involves the laying of distribution pipework to the outlying regions of Ballygawley, Ballintogher, Strandhill and Rosses Point, together with a proposed new 1, 300m3 reservoir at Rosses Point. Cost £1.8 million.

Contract no. 8. Intake pumphouse and rising main.

The construction of an intake pump house on the shores of Lough Gill at the mouth of the Garavogue River. A 500mm diameter rising main was constructed as far as the treatment works at the Foxes Den. Cost £1.2 million.

Contract no. 9. Cairns Hill refurbishment.

This contract is ongoing and involves the refurbishment of the existing ozonisation treatment plant at Carns Hill. Cost £1.15 million.

Contract no. 10. Cairns Hill refurbishment. Mechanical and electrical installation.

This contract comprises all mechanical and electrical installation associated with the supply, installation and commissioning of the refurbished treatment plant. Cost £1.7 million.

Funding of the Scheme

Sligo County Council and Sligo Corporation together with officials of the Department of Environment and Local Government played a crucial role during 1996 in securing Cohesion Funding from the European Union. The broadening of the needs and scope of stage 1 are now being supported by funding from the National Development Plan.

Stage 1, when completed, will have cost £23 million.

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