Irish Water has announced details of a €1.2 million upgrade to wastewater services in two areas of Mayo. A contract has been awarded to TES Ltd to upgrade the existing wastewater treatment plants in Belcarra and Lahardaun which serve a combined population of almost 1,000 people. The benefit of these works will see a vast improvement in the quality of the final effluent being discharged from both wastewater treatment plants which flow into two rivers forming part of the River Moy Special Area of Conservation (SAC ).
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny stated: “This €1.2 million investment by Irish Water in Belcarra and Lahardane is most welcome, particularly from an environmental point of view in respect of both Manulla River and the River Moy Special Area of Conservation. It is great to see Irish Water and Mayo County Council work in partnership to bring about lasting improvements to how we deliver and subsequently treat wastewater in our county.”
Construction will commence in mid-January at both wastewater treatment plants and is expected to be completed in November 2017. The Belcarra Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the village of Belcarra and its surrounds which has a current population equivalent of 400. The final effluent from the plant discharges to the Manulla River. The Lahardaun Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the village of Lahardaun and its surrounds which has a population equivalent of 430. The final effluent from the plant discharges to the Castlehill River. Both treatment plants are discharging to rivers which form part of the River Moy SAC.
Commenting Irish Water’s minor programme lead, Laura Heneghan, said: “Irish Water is working in partnership with Mayo County Council to continually improve wastewater treatment throughout the county. This project sees two areas which have been prioritised by Irish Water and will have substantial environmental benefits for both communities.”
A similar programme of works will be carried out in both areas to include a full upgrade of the wastewater facilities at both treatment plants; inlet flow measuring and sampling; final effluent flow measurement and sampling; refurbishment of existing control building, construction of new access roads, interconnecting pipework and landscaping. The works will be followed by a commissioning and testing period.
