Works have started this week on a new waste water treatment plant in Shanbally as part of the Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project.

Irish Water,Ireland’s national utility responsible for providing and developing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland, is to make an overall investment of €91 million in the project which will eliminate the discharge of untreated sewage into the Lower Harbour.

Currently untreated sewage from Cobh, Carrigaline (including Crosshaven), Passage West/Monkstown (including Glenbrook) and Ringaskiddy (including Shanbally and Coolmore) is discharged into the Lower Harbour on a daily basis. By providing enhanced waste water treatment the project will provide environmental protection which will facilitate economic growth in the Lower Harbour area and provide for a growing population.

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Since the initial planning permission was granted, Irish Water has had the opportunity to finalise details for the location of pumping stations and a pipeline on the south side of the Lower Harbour. This additional information has lead to a request to An Bord Pleanàla that the terms of the development as approved be altered to reflect the additional information now available.

As part of the process, An Bord Pleanála will be undertaking a public consultation phase. The consultation phase will last for four weeks starting on Monday August 17th. Irish Water will advertise details of the public consultation process in local media and information on the proposed alteration will be available at the offices of both Cork County Council and An Bord Pleanàla.

Commenting on the project, Déaglán Healy, Project Manager at Irish Water said; “We welcome the start of works on the new Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Cork Lower Harbour area. Irish Water’s priority is to develop infrastructure capable of providing quality wastewater services across the country. The development of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant will improve wastewater treatment for the communities around Lower Harbour. A sustainable Wastewater Treatment Plant will bring health and environmental benefits to the growing local population as well as improved water quality for all who enjoy the wonderful natural resource. The Wastewater Treatment Plant will start treating sewage in late 2016 with immediate benefits to the Lower Harbour.

Irish Water wishes to acknowledge the work carried out to date by Cork County Council. We’re very much looking forward to delivering this project in partnership with Cork County Council and the local community.”

Irish Water will continue to engage with local stakeholders to keep them aware of the progress of the project and any works which may affect the local community. For further information on the Cork Lower Harbour Project log onto www.water.ie/corklowerharbour

Irish Water invested €340m in improving water and waste water services in 2014 and will invest over €410 million in improving water services during 2015. This spend will increase over subsequent years. Capital investment in the region of €600m per year is required for a sustained period of several decades, to address the acknowledged deficiencies in the country’s water infrastructure.