Contract signed for upgrade of treatment plants in Ballina and Newport
Irish Water is delighted to announce that it has signed a contract to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure for the towns of Ballina and Newport.
These important projects will eliminate the discharge of poorly treated wastewater into the receiving waters resulting in improved water quality. Other benefits will include accommodating future population growth of the surrounding areas and enhancing local amenities.
Speaking about this milestone, Seamus Glynn, Asset Delivery Regional Lead with Irish Water, said: “We are delighted to be delivering these important projects on behalf of the communities in Ballina and Newport.
“The existing infrastructure serving both areas is overloaded and outdated. This significant investment will allow us to provide a quality service and will boost both towns by enhancing the local environment and improving water quality in the receiving waters.
“These projects are another example of Irish Water’s commitment to providing quality water and wastewater services for the people of Tipperary.
“Irish Water has, and will continue to, invest in water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the premier county. These projects have been long-awaited but finally we have boots on the ground and are eager to get going. The works will be carried out by 2025 but the project will benefit the county for decades to come. We would like to thank the local community for their support and co-operation as we carry out this work.
“We look forward to working with our colleagues in Tipperary County Council, Ward and Burke, and most importantly - the people of Ballina and Newport to deliver these vital upgrades of wastewater infrastructure.”
Works are due to commence in Ballina in January and are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Works in Newport are expected to commence mid-2023 and are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Ward and Burke have signed the contract to carry out the works on behalf of Irish Water.
Any person or business wishing to get a new connection to public wastewater collection infrastructure must contact Irish Water. You can make a pre-connection enquiry to establish whether a connection to the public network is feasible, where the connection can be made and any associated charges. For more information, please visit www.water.ie/connections
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 growth in our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.
WELCOMING NEWS
Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “It’s brilliant to see this contract being signed for crucial wastewater infrastructure upgrades for Ballina and Newport. This new upgrade will eliminate the discharge of poorly treated wastewater and improve the water quality for the towns."
Local councillors have welcomed the long awaited and eagerly anticipated signing of the contract to carryout out upgradings on the highly deficient sewage treatment plants in Ballina and Newport.
Members of the Nenagh Municipal District authority was meeting in Nenagh last Thursday wek when the announcement of the signing of the contracts for the planned works was made by Irish Water.
Cllr Fiona Bonfield said it was a momentous day for both Newport and Ballina as a total of €19 million was about to be invested in both plants.
Cllr John Carroll said the news will facilitate the continued residential and commercial development at both locations, and will help in a positive way in improving the water quality at both locations at Ballina and at Newport.
Council Director Marcus O' Connor said the news was most welcome as new development in both towns had been stymied for a long time due to the lack of capacity in the plants. The extra capacity resulting from the planned upgradings meant vital projects and developments in both town could now be progressed.
Cllr Joe Hannigan welcomed the news, but said there were several other villages and urban areas in the Nenagh District were sewage treatment plants were at capacity, or nearing capacity.
“I am talking about the need to upgrade treatment plants in Cloughjordan were lack of capacity is having a serious impact on proposed development,” he said.
He added: “Ballycommon is another village whose expansion is being stymied by lack of sewage treatment capacity, and it's a similar issue in Ardcroney.”
He said it was high time Irish Water took action to address these issues, adding that the main water pipe from the supply scheme in Puckane also needed urgent attention following a bursting issue there earlier this month. “That pipe is now shocked to death with the number of repairs carried out to it. We need to get Irish Water on the job now.”