An Bord Pleanála has approved plans to progress with work to improve the sewer network at Cork Lower Harbour.

The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project will result in significant improvements to water quality in Cork Lower Harbour by ending the current practice of the discharge of raw sewage directly into the harbour.

Around 20,000 homes and businesses will be connected to the new scheme upon completion.

Significant progress has been made to date including the delivery of a new wastewater treatment plant at Shanbally, which commenced operations in December 2016, and is now treating waste from Carrigaline, Crosshaven and Shanbally. Work has also recently started on the repair and upgrade of the sewerage network on the south side of Cork Lower Harbour including Carrigaline, Monkstown, Passage West and Ringaskiddy. All wastewater from these areas is scheduled to be diverted to the new wastewater treatment plant by early 2019 ensuring full treatment before its discharge to the sea.

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In order to progress work in towns on the north side of the harbour, Irish Water made an application to An Bord Pleanála for a proposed alteration to the approved grant of planning to reflect the finalised location of pumping stations, pipelines and estuary crossing under section 146b of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006.

An application for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was also lodged to facilitate the acquisition of land for the development of pumping stations and wayleaves for the sewer network on the north side of the harbour.

It has been confirmed that both of the applications have now been granted by An Bord Pleanála and work is scheduled to commence in Cobh in 2018.

(CD/LM)