Minister Darragh O’Brien was impressed by the progress he witnessed on the village’s new wastewater treatment plant, when he visited last weekend.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage saw first-hand the work on Irish Water’s landmark project which will provide wastewater treatment for the first time in Spiddal.
The new treatment plant and pumping station will bring significant benefits to the local community in terms of protecting the environment and improving water quality in Galway Bay for swimming, surfing, fishing and boating. The project will eliminate the discharge of more than 600 wheelie bins of raw sewage into Galway Bay every day while also acting as an enabler for housing and supporting economic growth and development in the area.
Minister O’Brien commended Irish Water for progressing the project saying: “I am delighted to be here today to witness the progress on this vital project for Spiddal. The construction of this new wastewater treatment plant and associated infrastructure is pivotal to stop the discharge of raw sewage into Galway Bay, protect the environment and to support the future growth and development of Spiddal and surrounding areas.
Vital project
“Irish Water and Galway County Council are to be commended for progressing this vital project as part of its commitment to the people of Spiddal. The provision of a reliable wastewater service, in a manner that protects the natural environment, is essential to the economic and social development of this area. I would like to thank those involved in progressing this project and I would like to wish the project team well as they continue to work together to deliver this much needed wastewater project.”
Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Peter Keaveney said the delivery of this vital sewerage infrastructure development will lead to enhanced tourism opportunities for this beautiful part of the country.
“Stopping the discharge of untreated wastewater to Galway Bay has long been a goal of Galway County Council, and we can now look forward to all the benefits of a cleaner environment. I very much welcome the investment from Irish Water in conjunction with Galway County Council.”
Patrick Greene, Asset Delivery Regional Lead with Irish Water, added: “We are delighted that works are progressing on schedule on this essential project for the people of Spiddal. Eliminating the discharge of raw sewage into Galway Bay has always been a priority for Irish Water and we look forward to ending this current practice, safeguarding the local environment and enhancing tourism opportunities for this beautiful part of the country.
“The size and scale of the challenge of raw sewage discharging into our water ways is well documented. Since 2014, Irish Water has built new wastewater infrastructure for 17 towns and villages across the country, ending the discharge of raw sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas; the equivalent of 100,000 people’s worth, every day.
One of 13 locations
“Spiddal was one of 13 locations nationwide where Irish Water awarded contracts in 2021 to end the discharge of raw sewage. So far in 2022 we have awarded contracts for 2 additional locations with more to follow in the coming months. 60% of the raw sewage entering waterways in Ireland has now been eliminated and we are on track to fully removing the majority of raw sewage discharges by 2025.”
Acknowledging the patience and cooperation of the local community and businesses, Patrick added: “We would like to thank the people of Spiddal including Udarás na Gaeltachta, Spiddal Craft and Design Studios, Danu Media, Stiuideo Cuan Teo as well as Scoil Einne for their ongoing support throughout the works. We’ll continue to work with them and keep them updated as we continue to deliver this vital project.”
The project, which represents an investment of €4 million, includes the construction of a new, state of the art, wastewater treatment plant that has been designed to provide wastewater treatment for a PE (population equivalent ) of up to 1,000, a new below ground pump station, new sewer pipelines to divert untreated wastewater to the new pumping station and onto the new wastewater treatment plant, and the reuse of the existing outfall pipe to safely discharge treated wastewater to Galway Bay in compliance with regulatory standards.
Mott MacDonald and Coffey Water Limited, are working on behalf of Irish Water, to deliver the project, which is expected to be completed in 2023.
The progression of this project marks another major milestone in Irish Water’s work to end the unacceptable practice of discharging untreated sewage into our waterways and seas.
Works are also progressing as part of the upgrade to Ahascragh Wastewater Treatment Plant to end the discharge of inadequately treated wastewater into the Bunowen River. The upgraded wastewater treatment plant will serve a population equivalent of 470 and will stop more than 300 wheelie bins of inadequately treated wastewater being discharged into the Bunowen (Ahascragh ) River every day.
Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.
