Construction of the new Oughterard Wastewater Treatment Plant will commence on Monday after the official sod turning ceremony to be undertaken by Sean Kyne TD, Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources.
Irish Water announced details of the €4.2 million investment in the Oughterard Sewerage Scheme in Co Galway in July. The project, which will see the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, will increase the capacity of the current treatment facility to facilitate future growth in population and economic development in the area.
It will also improve water quality in the Owenriff River and Lough Corrib, areas of ecological importance as one of the most important freshwater pearl mussel rivers in Ireland.
The opening comes just a week after the official opening of the Leenane Water Treatment Plant following a €1 million investment by the national utility which will provide Leenane with a clean and secure water supply, benefitting 200 local residents.
The official opening was also performed by Seán Kyne TD, Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources along with students from Leenane National School who were delighted to take part in the ceremony and celebrate the fact that they now have access to a clean and reliable water supply.
Irish Water invested almost €1 million at the Leenane Water Treatment Plant to make the necessary upgrades. Due to the inadequate water infrastructure, Leenane was issued with a boil water notice in July 2015. Following the investment in the water treatment plant by Irish Water the boil water notice was lifted by the HSE, on budget and ahead of schedule, in August 2016.
Diane Carroll, Water Capital Programme Lead with Irish Water said: “The Leenane Water Treatment Plant now provides year-round protection against the range of contaminants found in raw water. Irish Water is delighted the supply will now be in a position to be removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Remedial Action List (RAL ) which is the list of ‘at risk’ water supplies across Ireland. The latest RAL was issued just this week and Leenane has been referenced as having the necessary works completed and Irish Water is confident that the supply will soon be removed from the RAL.
Speaking at the official opening Minister Kyne said: “The investment in Leenane Water Treatment Plant by Irish Water will provide a safe and secure supply of water of the highest standards to Leenane and the wider locality. Such a water supply is essential for residents but also for local businesses and the local tourism industry.
