Mallow sewage treatment plant to get multimillion-euro upgrade

Move will improve water quality in River Blackwater, vital to the survival of the EU-protected freshwater pearl mussel, and allow for further development in the North Cork town

A multimillion-euro plan to upgrade the sewage treatment system in Mallow will improve water quality in the River Blackwater – vital to the survival of the EU-protected freshwater pearl mussel. Picture: Dr William O’Connor

Irish Water has unveiled a multimillion-euro plan to upgrade the sewage treatment system in a North Cork town, which will improve water quality in the River Blackwater – vital to the survival of the EU-protected freshwater pearl mussel.

The plan will also allow for future development in Mallow because its existing sewage treatment plant is at capacity. Both this and the protection of the mussel have halted development along the Blackwater in recent years.