Upgrade Begins To Ballinakill Wastewater Treatment Plant, Co. Laois

Project will improve the level of treatment at the plant

Irish Water is commencing work to upgrade the Ballinakill Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co. Laois. The €50,000 investment will improve the level of treatment at the plant and improve the discharge quality of treated water from the plant into the River Ballymaddock.

The project includes the installation of a new ferric dosing system for the removal of phosphorus from the wastewater. The removal of phosphorus during the wastewater treatment process will improve the water quality in the receiving waters as the discharge of treated water from the plant is improved. This benefits the environment for those using the river for recreational activities and for the wildlife and ecosystems that live in the river and along the river banks. Works commenced at the plant in December 2017 and will be completed in February 2018. CSL will be carrying out the works on behalf of Irish Water.

Ensuring compliance with EU Urban Wastewater Directives
The investment in the Balllinakill Wastewater Treatment Plant ensures that we are fully compliant with the EU Urban Wastewater Directives. Investing in Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure is a key priority for Irish Water. Between 2014 and 2015, we invested €166M in Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure, an increase of 22% from 2011 to 2013. From 2016 to 2021, the remaining period of the Irish Water Business Plan, we are increasing investment to spend an average of €326M per year on wastewater infrastructure. The investment in the Ballinakill Wastewater Treatment Plant is part of this investment programme.

Commenting on the project Peter Flood, Capital Programmes Lead in the East and Midlands Region, said “Investment in the Ballinakill Wastewater Treatment plant will benefit the environment as the quality of the treated water discharged from the plant will be improved. The removal of phosphorus improves the quality of the water in the Ballymaddock River benefiting the environment for everyone who uses the river and the wildlife living and along it. Irish Water is investing our wastewater treatment plants to ensure they comply with EU Urban Wastewater Directives and to protect and benefit the environment.”

Collecting wastewater from over 1,000 separate communities
Irish Water collects wastewater from over 1,000 separate communities connected to the wastewater network and treats around 1,600 million litres of wastewater daily before discharging it back into our rivers, harbours and coastal areas. By 2021, as outlined in the Irish Water Business Plan, we plan to have all discharges to our rivers and seas treated before being released. Our programme of work will include, not only improving capacity to ensure Irish Water can facilitate the growth of the new homes and industry but also protecting our coasts, which has a huge impact on tourism and local businesses.