Water Services
Water Services Infrastructure has expanded significantly within Sligo and recent changes in Drinking Water legislation and EPA licensing of all wastewater discharges have seen the requirements of the service provided increase.
In County Sligo there are 9 no. Public Water Schemes. Their Operation and Maintenance include 7 no. water treatment plants, 1,600km of water mains network including Service Reservoirs and water pumping stations, supplying drinking water with a total average usage of 33,000 m3/day in 2009.
The Operation and Maintenance of County Sligo sewer network consists of 32 No Wastewater treatment Plants and 185 km of sewer network including pumping station, rising mains.
WASTEWATER DISCHARGES (AUTHORISATION) REGULATIONS 2007
During the year 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency issued no Discharge Licences for wastewater Treatment Plants but Discharge License applications for an additional 9 No. Wastewater Treatment Plants and 14 No. Waste Water Discharge Certificates of Authorisation were submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency.
NON- DOMESTIC WATER SERVICES CHARGES
Local Authorities are required to meter all non-domestic water connections as part of the Government’s National Water Pricing Framework. Veolia Water Ireland Ltd. continues to implement this project on behalf of the Council. Water and wastewater charges are now charged on a metered basis and a charge for water of €1.27 per cubic metre and wastewater €1.03 per cubic metre was applied in 2009.
WATER CONSERVATION
Following completion of Stage 1 and 2 of the Water Conservation Programme in 2008, the next Stage concerns leakage control and establishment of a mains rehabilitation programme. A proposal for the rehabilitation of watermains throughout the county at a cost of €54 million was submitted to the Department for approval in 2008. Approval was granted in 2009 for phase 1 with a budget allocation of €4.7M and will proceed to tender in 2010. A significant reduction of water usage was achieved by the end of 2008 and this reduction remained constant throughout 2009. Full time staff are employed in leak detection, monitoring and repairing of leaks.
WATER SERVICES - PROJECT OFFICE
The Water Services project office of Sligo County Council has responsibility for project management and administration of all water services infrastructural development projects. The projects are funded via the:
- Water Services Investment Programme
- Rural Water Programme
Projects completed under the investment programme in recent years include the following;
• Sligo Main Drainage Wastewater Treatment Plant(DBO Contract)
This new Wastewater Treatment Plant (50,000pe), Pumping Station and Sludge Hub Centre at Finisklin, Sligo was completed during 2009. The total project cost was €37M. The plant is now fully operational and the 2010 operation and maintenance costs will be approximately €1.2M
- Sligo Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Teesan / Lisnalurg Sewerage Scheme (Serviced Land Initiative)
This Service Land Initiative scheme involved the provision of water mains, foul and storm sewers, and a foul sewage pumping station to service the zoned catchment in the Teesan/Lisnalurg area. Construction of the scheme was completed in Q3 2009 and the outturn scheme costs were €4.6M.
• Mullaghmore Water Supply Scheme – Stage 2
This scheme involved the provision of approximately 2km of pipeline infrastructure and associated works in the village of Mullaghmore. All works associated with this contract were completed in Q3 2009 at a total cost of €280,000.
• Enniscrone Bundled DBO Scheme
The Enniscrone (and six villages) bundled DBO scheme was completed in July 2008 at a total cost of €5.0M. The project is now in year 2 of the 20 year O&M contract which will cost approximately €0.6M in 2010.
• Water Conservation - Advance stage 3 Works - Gurteen Pipeline (South Sligo RWSS)
The replacement of 2 km of poor quality asbestos water mains along the R294 in South Sligo was completed in November 2009. The cost of these works was €300,000.
• Kilsellagh Water Treatment Plant
The construction of the new water treatment plant at Kilsellagh has been completed and is now fully operational. It will serve Sligo City and its environs including the Rosses Point peninsula and the North Fringe area. The new plant, which includes a new 2,200m³ treated water reservoir, will have a maximum throughput capacity of 400m³/hr. The estimated DB project cost is €7.8M.
- Kilsellagh Water Treatment Plant
Other projects currently at various stages of planning and procurement include;
• Water Conservation Stage 3 Works
A detailed report on Stage 3 Mains rehabilitation for the County and Borough areas was submitted to the Department during 2008. The estimated cost for the entire Stage 3 works was €54M incorporating 11 phases. Following a request from the Department a detailed works proposal for 5 phases was submitted. In December 2009 the Department approved Phase 1 works on the Sligo and Environs scheme. The procurement of site investigation works is currently ongoing and it is anticipated that the rehabilitation contract will proceed to tender in Q4 2010. The budget for Phase 1 is €4.7M.
• Ballinacarrow Sewerage Scheme
This scheme involves the provision of new wastewater treatment infrastructure and network improvements in the village. The preliminary report has been submitted to the Department. The cost estimate for the scheme is €3.3M.
• Clifffoney Sewerage Scheme
This scheme involves the provision of new wastewater treatment infrastructure and network improvements in the village. The preliminary report has been submitted to the Department. The cost estimate for the scheme is €5M.
• Grange, Strandhill and Tubbercurry Grouped Sewerage Improvement Scheme
These three schemes involving the provision of new wastewater treatment infrastructure for the towns of Tubbercurry (5000PE), Grange (2500PE) and Strandhill (4500PE) are to be advanced as a single DBO project. The upgrade of Ballinafad WwTP, funded from the Rural Water Small Schemes Programme, has also been added to this project to deliver further value for money. The report on tenders has been approved and a preferred bidder has been selected. The budget cost for the project is €10.8M.
• Lough Talt Regional Water Supply Scheme
The Preliminary Report which assessed demands, sources, treatment options, and storage and network improvements has been completed and submitted to the Department for approval. The project as outlined in the PR is proposed to be advanced in four phases;
- Proposed new water treatment plant (12,500m³)
- Intake works
- Network improvements
- South Sligo interconnector.
The PR cost estimate for completion of the entire scheme is €31M with the costs for Phase 1 estimated at €8.7M. Part 8 planning for phase 1 and land acquisition procedures are being progressed.
• Sligo and Environs Sewerage Scheme (G) (Rosses Point / Cregg / Ballincar Network)
This scheme relates to the provision of pumping stations and associated pipeline infrastructure for the transfer of raw sewage effluent from the Ballincar, Cregg and Rosses Point catchments to Sligo Main Drainage WwTP for treatment. Planning and land acquisition procedures are being progressed. Detailed design and tender documentation can be progressed pending formal approval from the Department and the necessary loan approval. The estimated scheme cost in the preliminary report is €4.5M.
• Water Conservation Stage 3 Works
This project relates to the second phase of the rehabilitation works proposal submitted to the Department for mains rehabilitation on the Lough Talt RWSS. The procurement phase will be advanced pending budgetary approval from the Department.
• Ballymote and Collooney Sewerage Schemes
This project involves the review and upgrade of existing sewerage schemes in Ballymote (3000PE) and Collooney (1400PE). The two schemes have been bundled into one project in order to deliver the best value for money. The project is currently in the planning phase and pending Department approval of the project brief the procurement and appointment of the Client’s Representative will be advanced.
• Sligo and Environs Sewerage Scheme Phase 2
Sligo Sewerage Scheme (Network Improvement). This project relates to proposed improvement works to the existing combined sewer network in Sligo City. The preliminary report highlighted 28 sections of the network which require improvement works based on network modeling and localized flooding issues. It is also proposed to carry out CCTV surveys on other parts of the network to establish a prioritized schedule of works which can be advanced on a phased basis.
• Carraroe Sewerage Scheme
A revised Preliminary Report for the provision of foul and storm water drainage in Carraroe has been completed. Pending approval from the Department and the necessary funding the scheme can be advanced to the next stage.
• Sligo Main Drainage Stage VI – Cummeen Sewerage Scheme
This scheme involves the installation of sewerage infrastructure in the Cummeen, Rathonoragh areas which will facilitate the removal of existing septic tanks and also service the future development needs of the catchment. The purchase/takeover of existing infrastructure built by private developers will be an integral part of the project. Pending formal approval from the Department and the necessary finances, the scheme can proceed to detailed design and procurement phases.
Projects funded under the Rural Water Programme included the following;
• Watermain in Carrowhubbock, Enniscrone
This scheme involved the replacement of approximately 300m of existing water main and the installation of 1300m of new pipeline with a total of 15 service connections. The scheme was taken off the public water supply from Lough Easkey WSS. This contract is now completed. The total project cost was €150,000.
• Ballymote Wastewater Treatment Works Upgrade Works
This project involved the upgrading of the existing wastewater treatment plant to provide automated fine screening/ new pumping station with 2 nr duty/ standby pumps and various instrumentation such as flow measurement, Dissolved Oxygen probes, dial out alarm, etc,. These works have been completed. The total project cost was €240,000.
• Riverstown Wastewater Treatment Works Upgrading
This project involved the upgrading of the existing wastewater treatment plant in Riverstown to provide automated fine screening and flow measurement. These works are completed. A manuals rake screen has been provided at the pumping station upstream of the WWTW. This contract is now completed. The total project cost was €92,000.
• Easkey Sewer Network Improvements
The scheme involved the construction of a new pumping station in the townland of Castletown, Easkey. It consisted of a pump sump, duty and standby pumps, control kiosk and associated site works. This development will facilitate treatment of wastewaters from the western side of the village. This contract is now completed. The cost for this scheme is approx €185,000.
- Easkey plant
• Lough Easkey Water Treatment Plant Upgrade works
A detailed review of the plant process has been untaken. It will consist of installing instrumentation, signalling in Lough Easkey WTW and linking it back to the existing SCADA in the Old Jail for remote monitoring and improved controlling capabilities.
• North Sligo Water Treatment Plant Sludge System Upgrade works
This project involves the upgrading the Sludge System at the North Sligo WTW. This will involve the installation and commissioning of a Picket Fence thickener, centrifuge, polyelectrolyte dosing units and associated works.
• Bunninadden Wastewater Treatment Worksupgrading Works
This scheme involves the upgrade of the wastewater treatment works in the village of Bunninadden. Part 8 planning and tender documents for the scheme are currently being progressed. The budget for the scheme is €560,000 and it will be part funded from development contributions.
• Ballintogher Wastewater Treatment Works Upgrading Works
This project involves the upgrade of the wastewater treatment works in the village of Ballintogher. The scheme will be progressed pending formal agreement between Sligo County Council and the developer and the necessary financial approvals.
• Ballinafad Wastewater Treatment Works
This scheme involves the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant with a design capacity of 350PE in the village of Ballinafad. It is bundled with the Tubbercurry/Grange/Strandhill scheme. An interim plant upgrade has been put in place pending construction of the new plant. The tender price for the scheme is €0.90M.
• Cliffoney WWTW Interim Works
This project involves a temporary plant upgrade to the existing wastewater treatment works for the village of Cliffoney pending the construction of a new plant under the investment programme. Planning and procurement for the temporary plant is currently being advanced.
• Drumcliffe WWTW upgrade Works
This WWTW was identified in the shellfish pollution reduction plans for Drumcliff bay as requiring upgrade. Following a review of the plant process options, planning and procurement for the upgrade works will be advanced.
• Lough Talt Public WS (Rathnakelliga Area) Upgrade Works
This scheme involves minor upgrade works at Rathnakelliga reservoir including re-routing of pipework, valves and associated works.
• Keash GWS – Contract No. 2
This group water scheme consisted of 13km of water main and 125 no. service connections. The scheme is supplied from the existing source at Lough Labe. The cost for the provision of the scheme is €0.9M.
• Coolaney Road GWS
This group water scheme consisted of laying almost 5 km of pipelines with a total of 56 service connections and 3 bulk meters. The scheme is connected to the public water supply from Collooney. Work commenced on this contract in May ’09 and was completed on site in November ’09. The cost for the provision of the scheme is €0.47M.
• Ballintogher Stage III GWS
This group water scheme consisted of laying 4.1km of watermains with a total of 26 service connections and 2 bulk meters. The scheme is connected to the public water supply. The cost for the provision of the scheme is €444,629.97. This scheme was partly funded under small schemes programme.
• Glackbaun GWS
This scheme consisted of the provision of water main of approximately 17.5km of water main ranging from 180mm to 63mm, the construction of a booster pumping station and the construction of a 286m³ reservoir. There are 133 no. service connections on this scheme and the contract cost of the scheme is €1.35M.
The following private group water schemes are in various stages of the taken over process to become part of the public water supply network. Works required as part of this process include the installation of valves, bulk meters, non-domestic meters, new pipelines and ancillary works. Cuilmore GWS; Finned/Castletown GWS; Ballygawley GWS; Cooga GWS; Lissaneena GWS; Drumfad GWS; Castleconner GWS; Cannaghanally GWS; Emlaghfad GWS; Kilcat GWS; Lugawarry / Lugnadeffa GWS; Coolaney Road GWS; Ballintogher Stage III GWS.