Work Commencing To Upgrade The Mountmellick Wastewater Treatment Plant In County Laois

Irish Water is commencing work to upgrade the Mountmellick Wastewater Treatment Plant in County Laois. The €850,000 investment will improve the level of treatment at the plant and improve the discharge quality of treated water from the plant into the Owenass River. The upgrade will also improve the energy efficiency of the plant which will deliver long term savings on operation costs.

The project includes upgrades to the existing pumping station, a new inlet works and grit removal system to prevent large debris from entering and damaging the treatment plant and an upgrade to the aeration system which will improve the overall treatment processes at the plant.

Design works have been completed and construction works will commence on the 5th of February 2018 and will be completed by the Summer 2018. Conway Engineering Ltd. will be carrying out the works on behalf of Irish Water.

The investment in the Mountmellick Wastewater Treatment Plant ensures that Irish Water is 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, Irish Water invested €166M in Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure, an increase of 22% from 2011 to 2013. From 2016 – 2021, the remaining period of the Irish Water Business Plan, the utility is ramping up investment to spend an average of €326m per year on wastewater infrastructure. The investment in the Mountmellick Wastewater Treatment Plant is part of this investment programme.

Commenting on the project Peter Flood, Capital Programmes Lead for Irish Water in the East and Midlands Region, said “Investment in the Mountmellick Wastewater Treatment plant will benefit the environment as the level of wastewater treatment at the plant will be greatly improved along with the quality of the treated water discharged from the plant. The upgrades will also improve the efficiency at the plant which will reduce operating costs. The improved wastewater treatment will ensure that the plant is complying with EU Urban Wastewater Directives.”

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.