Tubber Waste Water Scheme a ‘ priority’

THE upgrade of the Tubbercurry Waste Water Treatment Plant ( WWTP) has been due to take place for many years including periods from the mid 2000s when significant central Government funds were available to carry out the work, but the urgent upgrades did not take place then. THE treatment plant is not suitable for the population of Tubbercurry along with other plants in County Sligo including Grange, Strandhill, and Ballinafad. THE upgrade works will deliver better quality drinking water and effectively treat wastewater. IN 2015, Irish Water said that the upgrades would take place in early 2016 and provided no definite timeline for the upgrading of the Tubbercurry WWTP. IN the most recent correspondence Irish Water told the Sligo Champion that these works will take place in Q3 2017: “THE Tubbercurry, Grange, Strandhill and Ballinafad Wastewater Treatment Plant Bundle DBO Contract involves the upgrade of wastewater treatment plants serving three towns and one village in County Sligo. “IRISH Water intends to upgrade the existing wastewater treatment plants to provide for the modern, efficient and economically sustainable treatment of wastewater to ensure compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations and EPA licences.” said a spokesperson for Irish Water. THE main objective of the scheme is to provide immediate and long term improvement and expansion of the existing treatment plants. THE Grange, Tubbercurry, Strandhill and Ballinafad Design Build Operate Contract is currently at tender stage and is being priced by the market. “COMPLETED tenders were due to be submitted to Irish Water in mid- January 2017. The time allowed by Irish Water for contractors to price this contract has had to be extended in order to ensure that competitive tenders are received. For this reason the tender period has been longer than envisaged. “FOLLOWING the receipt of completed tenders, tender evaluation will be completed followed by internal approval procedures, cooling off period and contract signing. Irish Water expect a contract to be signed in Q3 2017.” The project is a priority scheme for Irish Water and is included in Irish Water’s Business Plan for funding and completion.” AN exact month in Q3 cannot be pinpointed until the tendering process has been completed.