Water services to be upgraded in two Mayo communities

IRISH Water has announced details of a €1.2 million upgrade to wastewater services in two areas of Mayo.

A contract has been awarded to TES Limited to upgrade the existing wastewater treatment plants in Belcarra and Lahardane which serve a combined population of almost 1,000 people.

The benefit of these works will see a vast improvement in the quality of the final effluent being discharged from both wastewater treatment plants which flow into two rivers forming part of the River Moy Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Irish Water’s minor programme lead Laura Heneghan said: “Irish Water is working in partnership with Mayo County Council to continually improve wastewater treatment throughout the county.

'This project sees two areas which have been prioritised by Irish Water and will have substantial environmental benefits for both communities.”

A similar programme of works will be carried out in both areas to include a full upgrade of the wastewater facilities at both treatment plants, inlet flow measuring and sampling, final effluent flow measurement and sampling, refurbishment of existing control building, construction of new access roads, interconnecting pipework and landscaping. The works will be followed by a commissioning and testing period.

The Belcarra Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the village of Belcarra and its surrounds which has a current population equivalent of 400. The final effluent from the plant discharges to the Manulla River.

The Lahardaun Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the village of Lahardaun and its surrounds which has a population equivalent of 430.

The final effluent from the plant discharges to the Castlehill River. Both treatment plants are discharging to rivers which form part of the River Moy SAC.

Construction will commence in mid-January at both wastewater treatment plants and is expected to be completed in November 2017.

This project forms part of Irish Water’s investment plan where over €530 million will be invested in upgrading services in 2016 to improve the country’s water and wastewater infrastructure.

The Irish Water Business Plan has earmarked almost €2 billion in improving wastewater quality and capacity up to 2021.

The announcement has been welcomed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.