Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley has officially opened the Ennis Water Treatment Works at Drumcliff, Ennis, Co Clare.

The €9.8 Million Ennis Water Treatment Works, which incorporates the largest membrane filtration system in a public water scheme in Ireland, provides drinking water to approximately 30,000 consumers in Ennis town and environs, and the neighbouring areas of Barefield, Crusheen, Clarecastle and Doora.

The project was developed following the introduction of new and more stringent Drinking Water Regulations and the detection of cryptosporidium in the local water source in 2005. The subsequent drinking water alert was officially lifted in December 2009 just weeks after the new Water Treatment Plant was commissioned.

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The project has been co-funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Clare County Council under the National Development Plan.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy described the official opening of the new Works as a significant milestone in the delivery of quality drinking water supplies to consumers and communities across Clare.

Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Frankie Neylon added that the project would help ensure good quality drinking water for thousands of consumers in Ennis town and surrounding areas.

The Ennis Water Treatment Works has been procured as a Public Private Partnership using a Design Build Operate contract in which the contractor is responsible for the design and construction of the plant as well as for its operation and maintenance for a 20-year period.

The Project Team included Clare County Council, Mott MacDonald Ireland Technical Data (Consultant) and EPS-Bowen Consortium (Contractor).

(NS/BMcC)