The Response Group, one of Ireland's leading water and wastewater treatment companies, has been awarded a long-term contract to operate and maintain the major assets of the Limerick Main Drainage Scheme.

The firm will deliver the services as part of a consortium it has formed with Severn Trent.

The €60m, 20-year contract was awarded to Response Group as part of a public tender process.

The €300m Limerick Main Drainage Scheme is a major environmental and infrastructural investment project that aims to equip and enable Limerick City and its environs to effectively provide for the domestic, industrial and commercial development of the area well in to the future. The project has significantly upgraded and expanded the sewer network, built a new large scale waste water treatment plant at Bunlicky, a regional Sludge Treatment facility, the development of a major pumping station and the completion of significant river engineering works in developing part of the project which was integrated with a navigational scheme for the Shannon.

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The Response Group consortium will now be responsible for maintaining and operating these major assets to strict performance management standards, ensuring the Limerick Main Drainage Scheme meets its statutory requirements under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive combined with the water quality standards set down in the Shannon Estuary Water Quality Management Plan.

Commenting on the contract announcement, Noel Hanley, Chairman of Response Group, said: "We are delighted for the Response Group consortium to have been awarded this prestigious 20 year contract to oversee the operation and sustainability of one of Limerick’s most important infrastructures. For Response Group, we very much see this win as a strong vote of confidence in our professional capabilities and our ability to meet the due diligence requirements as set out in the service contract."

(NS/GK)