Wastewater treated to €27m investment
New wastewater treatment facilities were officially opened recently after a €27 million investment
The new treatment plants and supporting infrastructure, opened by Irish Water in partnership with Cork County Council, in Coachford, Innishannon, Dripsey and Baile Bhúirne and Baile Mhic Íre will ensure treated wastewater is now fully compliant with EU Urban Wastewater Directives before being safely discharged back into the natural environment. It will also enable future growth and development in the area, Irish Water said.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Danny Collins said: “Completion of these essential projects is vital to ensure we can accommodate future population growth of the villages and the surrounding areas in these communities. The upgrades to the four wastewater treatment plants will ensure that wastewater is adequately treated and meets appropriate standards before being safely discharged back into the environment.
“All these elements combined will enhance local amenities and act as a platform for social and economic development. This is another on-the-ground example of Government investment in Cork county yielding significant dividends.”
Paul Fallon, Programme Manager for Irish Water said: “This new infrastructure will improve the wastewater treatment quality, allow for additional housing to be developed, and ensures compliance with wastewater discharge regulations. Along with our partners, Cork County Council, and contractors EPS, we have worked closely with all communities associated with the Cork Mid-West Sewerage Scheme since we first turned the sod back in 2019.
“The construction of these f4 new wastewater treatment plants will end the discharge of poorly treated effluent, improve water quality in the receiving waters, enhance local amenities and will act as platform for social and economic development.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey highlighted how “this investment in new wastewater infrastructure will benefit almost 6,000 people while catering for projected growth in these settlements.”
Sharon O’Driscoll, Principal of Coachford National School, said: "Our students and staff are very passionate about the environment and anything that enhances and protects it. We have been awarded 6 Green School Flags and we also have a prize-winning garden Tír Draíochta. Last June we were delighted to win a Gold Medal Award in the Schools Garden Competition for the work we did in creating and maintaining it. Projects like this new wastewater treatment plant here in Coachford ensure our local environment, like our school garden, will be protected and helps our community to continue thriving.”