Mallow sewer upgrade to improve water quality in Blackwater

A project to upgrade the sewer network in Mallow town, with an estimated timeline of 24 months and costing over €14 million, is set to ‘improve the performance of the sewer network and water quality in the River Blackwater’ according to Irish Water.

Announcing the signing of the contract to upgrade to the sewer network in the town on Monday, Ward and Burke Ltd. will work on behalf of Irish Water to deliver this project, with work expected to commence in the coming months.

Irish Water will work in partnership with Cork County Council on this project and once completed, the new infrastructure will be compliant with wastewater discharge regulations.

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) will be eliminated at nine locations along the River Blackwater, which will protect the integrity of the local environment and benefit the River Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The new wastewater infrastructure ‘will enhance local amenities and provide a platform for social and economic development’, according to Irish Water.

‘ESSENTIAL PROJECT’

Eunan Canavan, Regional Infrastructure Lead with Irish Water, commented: “We are looking forward to delivering this important project on behalf of the local community in Mallow. This project will enhance the local environment by alleviating sewer flooding and improving water quality in the River Blackwater, while all new infrastructure has been sized to accommodate future population growth”.

He went on to state that the project will involve construction of 5.5kms of new sewer pipes as well as the removal of nine existing combined sewer overflows.

“We look forward to working with the local community to deliver this essential project in conjunction with our partners Cork County Council and Ward and Burke Ltd.”

Additionally, Irish Water is also progressing with upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant in Mallow, with the project also expected to commence in the coming months.