As 2021 draws to a close, Irish Water has announced the completion of a further two wastewater treatment plant upgrades in County Sligo.
The utility recently invested approximately €26 million in upgrading wastewater treatment plants throughout Sligo, including Grange, Strandhill, Tubbercurry, Ballinafad and most recently at Collooney and Ballymote.
Irish Water says this latest investment will not only provide additional capacity at Collooney and Ballymote wastewater treatment plants.
It will also help safeguard the Owenmore River, which is renowned for salmon and trout spawning, and nursery habitats, and forms part of the Unshin Special Area of Conservation.
Working in partnership with Sligo County Council, this project provides the necessary infrastructure required to treat wastewater to the highest standards required ensuring compliance with European and Irish wastewater treatment legislation.
Outlining the benefits of the works, Irish Water’s Colm Claffey, Regional Delivery Lead, said upgrading the treatment facilities at Collooney and Ballymote will significantly increase the amount of wastewater that can now be treated at these locations, and will support economic, social development and tourism in the area.
This overall investment will ensure that current and future wastewater treatment demand can be achieved as Collooney and Ballymote continues to grow, while protecting the Owenmore River.
The upgraded plants have the capacity to treat wastewater for approximately 3,100 population equivalent in Collooney and 3,500 PE in Ballymote.
