6 June 2019
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Irish Water is delighted to announce the signing of a contract with EPS Group Ltd. for the delivery of four new wastewater treatment plants in Coachford, Innishannon, Ballyvourney/Ballymakeera and Dripsey.
Existing wastewater infrastructure in these areas is overloaded and outdated. This new project will provide new plants in each of the four areas, as well as additional associated infrastructure required to connect the new plants into the existing wastewater infrastructure in these villages.
Irish Water will invest over €27 million in this project. On completion, the new infrastructure will improve wastewater treatment quality and capacity in each area. Once operational, the new plants will ensure compliance with wastewater discharge regulations.
“These projects will enhance the environment of thriving rural villages in County Cork and provide a platform for social and economic development into the future,” said Seamus Glynn, Regional Infrastructure Lead with Irish Water.
“We look forward to working with the local communities to deliver these projects in conjunction with our partners Cork County Council and EPS Group Ltd. Wastewater treatment is mainly by septic tank in these villages at present and this technology is outdated and not meeting the required standards. We will be back in touch with local communities to give them plenty of notice before construction commences.”
These areas are currently served by overloaded and outdated wastewater treatment infrastructure and therefore new wastewater treatment plants and some network works are required.
Coachford
A new wastewater treatment plant at Coachford will serve a population equivalent of approximately 1,600.
Upgrades to the sewer network and construction of a new outfall pipeline.
Decommissioning and demolition of the existing septic tank on the site.
Ballyvourney/Ballymakeera
A new wastewater treatment plant will serve a population of approximately 2,600 people.
Construction of an outfall pipe and upgrade works to the existing pumping station and new rising main.
Decommissioning and demolition of the existing septic tank.
Innishannon
A new wastewater treatment plant at Innishannon and upgrades to the existing sewer network will serve a population equivalent of approximately 1,600.
Decommissioning and demolition of the existing septic tank on the site.
Dripsey
A new wastewater treatment plant and upgrades to the sewer networks to serve Dripsey and the surrounding local area, serving a population equivalent of approximately 600 people.
Decommission and demolition of the existing wastewater treatment plant.
What are the benefits of this project?
The construction of the new wastewater treatment plants in these areas will
End the discharge of poorly treated effluent.
Improve water quality in the receiving waters.
Enhance local amenities and provide a platform for social and economic development.
All new infrastructure is sized to accommodate future population growth of the villages and the surrounding Cork Mid-West areas.
Ensure compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and EPA Wastewater Discharge Licencing.
