60% of Ireland’s raw sewage discharges are now eliminated and 93% of treatment plans are now compliant with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
Irish Water is nearing the completion of its €144 million investment in a project which aims to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into Cork Lower Harbour.
The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project ensures that wastewater from Ringaskiddy-Crosshaven-Carrigaline, Ringaskiddy village, Passage-Monkstown and Cobh town, is collected and fully treated before safely being released into the sea.
Another project which is set to benefit not only the environment, but the people of Cork is the Cork Mid-West Sewerage Scheme.
Works are in progress for a €27 million investment to provide new sewerage schemes in Coachford, Innishannon, Ballyvourney/Ballymakeera and Dripsey.
Other projects currently underway include: Castletownbere Sewerage Scheme, Mallow Sewer Network and WWTP Upgrade, and the upgrade of Bandon WWTP, watermain and sewer.
Irish Water are also progressing plans for Ballycotton, Castletownsend, Whitegate Aghada, Inchigeelagh and Mitchelstown sewerage schemes as well as upgrades to WWTPs in Castlemartyr, Boherbue, Macroom and Midleton.
In 2020, Irish Water and Cork County Council completed a €10 million project on the Courtmacsherry and Timoleague Sewerage Scheme.
This has since stopped untreated wastewater being discharged directly into the Argideen River. The new WWTP, that serves a population of approximately 2,500, brings many benefits to Courtmacsherry and Timoleague in terms of health, integrity of the environment and improved water quality for both communities.
In 2020, Irish Water and Cork County Council also completed a €7 million investment to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in Millstreet.
The treatment capacity of the plant has been increased and improve water quality in the Tanyard Stream and River Finnow which will support growth and development in Millstreet and surrounding areas.
