€12.3m sewage plant upgrade a boon to East Cork

A €12.3m upgrade to an ageing sewage treatment plant will facilitate more housing and industrial development in and around East Cork’s pharma hub.

Picture credit: Irish Water regional operations manager Katherine Walshe holds water treated by the Carrigtwohill Wastewater Treatment Plant while Minister of State David Stanton holds water that was treated by the plant before it underwent its €12.3m upgrade. Picture: Provision

Irish Water made the claim yesterday, as residents’ representatives welcomed the official opening of the upgraded Carrigtwohill wastewater treatment plant.

The facility is treating waste for a population of 30,000 in the immediate area, and waste from other treatment works, including Castlemartyr, Cloyne, and Killeagh, and discharging treated effluent — which meets strict EPA standards — into Fota Estuary. But it has been designed to be able to double its capacity in stages.

It is the second plant in Ireland to use state-of-the-art, activated granular sludge technology, which requires a smaller plant, and reduces the volume of sludge and chemicals.

Annette Lane and Margaret Long, of Carrigtwohill Community Council, visited the plant yesterday and said they were delighted to see the results of the investment.

“Previously, there were problems with smells from the old plant, and there were other issues, including blockages during flooding,” Ms Lane said.

“But we’re delighted to see the upgrades. It will allow for more building in the area. We are looking for a new secondary school in Carrigtwohill and we are very happy with the development, here at the plant.”

Ms Long said there are several sites zoned for housing in and around Carrigtwohill, and that the upgraded plant would unlock the potential of the sites.

Locally based David Stanton, the Minister of State for Justice, said Carrigtwohill was one of the fastest-growing towns in Ireland.

“The increase in wastewater treatment capacity will allow for continued, future growth in population and economic activity, as well as in towns such as Castlemartyr, Cloyne, and Killeagh,” he said.

Katherine Walshe, the regional operations manager with Irish Water, said the investment is an example of how the company can support the environment, industry, and local economic development.

“Carrigtwohill is a major pharmaceutical and biotechnology hub and this project will enable new schools and housing developments, as well as attract future industry to the area,” she said.

Cllr Sinéad Sheppard said the new facility would also protect the estuary at Fota Island, one of the most important assets in Cork harbour.

The upgrade was delivered in partnership with Cork County Council, and under a design-build- operate contract, with the construction carried out by EPS Sorensen Ltd and engineering services provided by TJ O’Connor and Associates.