Donegal County Council has partnered with Irish Water for major infrastructure development projects to address the drinking water quality issues affecting South West Donegal.

The projects represent an investment of approximately €20 million, part of a total investment of over €73 million in Donegal's water infrastructure.

Irish Water has developed a major programme of work which has been prioritised to address the most serious deficiencies. This will involve rationalising a number of sources and treatment plants, including the decommissioning of older plants which are no longer fit for purpose. The main driver for this work is to remove a number of water supply schemes from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Remedial Action List (RAL).

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Irish Water has now completed an evaluation of all options for these projects and today outlined plans to provide a sustainable solution for South West Donegal, aimed at removing schemes from the EPA RAL in the shortest possible timeframe. Works will include upgrades and expansions of water treatment plants at Lettermacaward, Killybegs, Glenties and a new water treatment plant at Owenteskna. A new Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection unit will be installed at the Glenties water treatment plant as an immediate measure to mitigate against risk of cryptosporidium on this water supply. Work is progressing on the long term solution for a sustainable water supply for this area. The upgrades in South West Donegal will enable the removal of the following schemes from the EPA RAL, Nairn-Portnoo, Fintown, Owenteskna/Kilcar and address the EPA RAL for sludge treatment on the Killybegs water treatment plant.

(CD)