Plant upgrading completed
THE upgrading of four wastewater treatment plants in the County Sligo which will benefit over 8,300 customers has been completed.
The works were carried out at the existing plants at Grange, Strandhill, Tubbercurry and Ballinafad by Coffey Northumbrian Limited on behalf of Irish Water.
Grange, Strandhill, Tubbercurry, Ballinafad and surrounding areas will see an improvement in terms of developmental potential, environmental protection and water quality according to Irish Water.
The works will also improve the performance and treatment capacity of each of the plants to meet the current needs of the towns and allow for future growth.
The positive impacts on the natural environment will also be far reaching in terms of water quality of the nearby coastal areas including Rosses Point and Streedagh Beach as well as improving water quality in the Tubbercurryy Stream, River Moy and in Lough Arrow.
Commenting on the completion of the works, Irish Water’s Programme Manager, Paul Fallon said: “The upgrade works completed at Grange, Strandhill and Ballinafad and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant at Tubbercurry will ensure that all wastewater treated at these plants is returned to the natural environment in compliance with EU Urban Wastewater Directives. The works will also assist with capacity for growth in these areas.”
He added: “While we are delighted to be sharing with the public the successful completion of these four projects in Sligo we are also asking for the public’s continued help in protecting the new improved wastewater treatment plants.
“We are asking the public to ‘ Think Before You Flush’; think about the link between what you flush down the toilet, the successful operation of wastewater treatment plants as well as the quality of the natural eenvironment which receives back the treated wastewater.
“Items like wet wipes, nappies, latex gloves and cotton buds can prevent the wastewater network from working efficiently, as well as damaging the plumbing in our homes and causing blockages in our wastewater treatment plants. Placing a bin in the bathroom and disposing of sanitary items safely will help to prevent these unsightly items from polluting our beaches and river ways.”
Elaine Doyle, Clean Coasts Campaigns Officer said: “Sewage related litter such as wipes are the type of waste we often find during our beach cleans. This waste is flushed down the toilet and may make its way through the wastewater infrastructure into the waterways and on to the beaches as marine litter. The ‘ Think Before You Flush’ campaign is in it’s fourth year and every year we work with a number of regional communities. This year we are delighted to work with communities in Sligo. We hope this recent investment from Irish Water will see a reduction in sewage related litter in the waterways and along the beautiful beaches of the Sligo coastline.”