Irish Water is progressing a project to solve the problem of inadequate sewage treatment in Gweedore to protect the environment. Gweedore does not currently have a municipal sewerage scheme and is over reliant on the use of septic tank systems. Irish Water working in partnership with Donegal County Council are developing a new sewerage scheme for the area.
The new sewerage scheme will reduce the level of untreated wastewater discharging into the environment. The new sewerage network will ultimately lead to a reduction on the reliance of septic tanks in the area. The proposed collection system allows for properties and sites in the area to be connected to the network, where they may have previously been constrained by the ground conditions if a traditional sewerage system was used.
Talking about what these next steps are Colm Boyd Irish Water explains: “As part of the initial phase of the project it will be necessary to install approximately 2.5km of new wastewater network along Factory Road, the Lower Road and the link road connecting both. The works will take approximately three months to complete and will be largely confined to public and private roads.”
While every effort has been taken to minimise disruption to local residents, there will be traffic management measures and stop-go systems in place while works are being carried out. A road closure will be required to facilitate a particular section of the installation works. This road closure will take place along the Lower Ardnagappary Road for a period of up to four weeks. Temporary diversions will be in place during this period with the diversion route being communicated to affected residents in advance.
The project team will then need to install connections off the new wastewater network to the boundary of each property. In the coming weeks Irish Water will be carrying out external visual surveys of a number of properties along the route of the new wastewater network. A representative from Irish Water will be in contact with these residents in the coming weeks to discuss the new connections in advance.
After works to install the new wastewater network have been completed, works inside private properties will be scheduled to connect these properties to the new wastewater network.
Colm added: “This project will meet the needs of the local community and ensure compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. It’s also part of a wider investment in Donegal as part of Irish Water’s investment plan. Works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Irish Water’s Business Plan.”
Delivery of the business plan will involve a €5.5 billion investment in capital spending on drinking water and wastewater quality and capacity and new infrastructure up to 2021.
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