Coffey Construction has started work to upgrade and enhance a water treatment plant in Dublin.

The €10.5 million upgrade at the Ballyboden Water Treatment Plant includes the construction of a covered reservoir to store 16 million litres of treated drinking water, the decommissioning of the existing open storage reservoir at the site and work to upgrade the disinfection process at the treatment plant.

The existing Ballyboden site contains an open water reservoir which stores treated drinking water prior to its distribution to customers. This is one of the last remaining open service reservoirs of treated drinking water of its kind in Europe. Treated drinking water exposed to the environment presents a contamination risk to supply.

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Michael Tinsley, Irish Water's Infrastructure Portfolio Manager, said: "This upgrade to the Ballyboden Water Treatment Plant is a priority project for Irish Water. It will ensure that a secure and sustainable supply of water is provided to over 42,000 people in Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County. Covering the reservoir will safeguard the quality of drinking water for the community and provide a long-term solution for the safe and sustainable management of the water supply. After almost 130 years serving the community, the Ballyboden Reservoir will be modernised to adequately meet current drinking water standards and the needs of future generations."

Guss O'Connell, Mayor of South Dublin County Council, said: "Once the project is complete, the upgraded Ballyboden Water Treatment Plant will greatly benefit the future economic and population development in Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County. The new plant will ensure that 42,000 consumers will be provided with a water supply which is compliant with all EU and Irish drinking water standards. I look forward to returning to Ballyboden for the official opening of the upgraded plant and the scheme's removal from the EPA's RAL."

(CD/LM)