Four Sligo towns to receive major wastewater upgrades by Irish Water which will provide for developmental growth and environmental protection.
Major Wastewater Upgrades
Major Wastewater Upgrades by Irish Water
Irish Water, working in partnership with Sligo County Council, has announced it will invest approximately €16 million as part of the upgrade of four wastewater treatment plants in County Sligo, namely Grange, Strandhill, Tubbercurry and Ballinafad.
The upgrade will bring benefits to the each of the towns and surrounding areas in terms of development potential, environmental protection, and improved water quality for all.
Commenting on the project, Colm Claffey, Irish Water’s Programme Regional Lead said:
“The upgrade works will increase the treatment capacity of each of the plants to meet the current needs of the towns and to allow for growth. The works will also ensure that wastewater is treated and discharged in compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations 2001, and conditions set out in the Wastewater Discharge Licence (WWDL) issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. It will also improve the water quality of nearby coastal areas, protecting bathing areas and the aquatic environment from pollution.”
The contract, which was signed by Irish Water and Coffey Northumbrian Ltd on Wednesday, November 15, will see the work commence on site in February 2018. Irish Water expects these works to last for approximately 22 months and upon completion the newly upgraded wastewater treatment plants will serve a future population equivalent (PE) of 8,300.
The project team will ensure that the local community is notified in advance of works commencing at each location and are provided with contact details should they have any questions. Irish Water would like to take the opportunity to thank local property owners who provided wayleaves to facilitate the works for their cooperation to date.
Capital investment in the region of €700 million per year is needed for a sustained period of several decades to address the poor condition of Ireland’s water infrastructure. Works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Irish Water’s Business Plan up to 2021. Delivery of the business plan will involve a €5.5bn investment in capital spending on drinking water and wastewater quality and capacity and new infrastructure up to 2021 while achieving efficiencies of €1.6bn.
Grange Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
The works as part of the upgrade to Grange Wastewater Treatment Plant will increase the capacity of the existing plant from 280 population equivalent (PE) to 900 PE. It will also include the construction of an inlet works, a storm water holding tank, a new secondary biological treatment, final settlement tanks, a new control building and a new sludge thickening facility.
Strandhill Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
The works as part of the upgrade to Strandhill Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade will increase the capacity of the existing plant from 1,500 PE to 3,700 PE. It will include the construction of new inlet works, a new storm water holding tank, a new secondary biological treatment, settlement tanks, a new control building and a new sludge thickening facility. It will also include the upgrade of the existing Caravan Park Pumping Station.
Tubbercurry Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
The works as part of the upgrade to Tubbercurry Wastewater Treatment Plant will include the provision of a new 3,500 PE capacity wastewater treatment plant within the existing site. This will increase the capacity of the plant from 1,400 PE to 3,500 PE. It will include upgrades to the inlet pumping station, a new inlet works, a new storm water holding tank, a new secondary biological treatment, final settlement tanks, a new control building and new sludge thickening facility.
It will also include construction of a new gravity combined sewer pipeline to the wastewater treatment plant and a new rising main to the outfall location at River Moy. Tubbercurry was identified in the recent annual EPA Wastewater Report as non-compliant with European wastewater directives. Upon completion, these works will ensure that Tubbercurry is compliant with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations and EPA licenses.
Ballinafad Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
The works to Ballinafad Wastewater Treatment Plant will include the provision of a new wastewater treatment plant within the existing site which will serve a population equivalent of 200. It will also include the construction of new inlet works, storm water holding tank, a new secondary biological treatment and settlement tanks and a sludge storage facility.