Galway City Council has won Dáil approval to prepare contract documents for the Design Build Operate Contract to upgrade the Mutton Island Treatment Plant and the 20-year operation and maintenance contract.

Builders will be given a boost after Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, said: "The rapid growth of Galway City and its Environs in recent times means that the existing wastewater treatment plant on Mutton Island is fast approaching its design capacity.

-- Advertisement --

"In order to cater for future projected growth in residential, commercial and industrial sectors within the Galway Sewerage Scheme area the capacity of the treatment plant is being upgraded to serve an equivalent population of nearly double the current amount up to 170,000.

"This vitally important project which is being funded under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2012, as a contract to commence construction during the period of that programme, has an estimated cost of some €3.64m," he said.

"The financial support from my Department for this project reflects the commitment for continuing investment in our wastewater schemes to ensure that discharges into our rivers, lakes and coastal water meet the highest international standards," the Minister added.

In the case of the Galway Sewerage Scheme, it will now be a matter for Galway City Council to prepare Contract Documents for this contract, which will be used to seek tenders for the works.

(BMcC/GK)