Plans have been unveiled to carry out an improvement project at Millstreet Wastewater Treatment Plant in Co Cork.

The scheme involves decommissioning of the existing wastewater treatment processes as it is currently operating over its design capacity by creating a new modern wastewater treatment plant on adjacent vacant lands.

The new facility will cater for a future population equivalent of 3,220, as well as having capacity to treat the equivalent of over 2,500 wheelie bins of sewage.

Overall, the project will include the new treatment plant and associated infrastructure including a storm water storage tank, preliminary treatment equipment, secondary treatment tanks, 1.3km of new sewer pipes along Station Road to bring the treated wastewater discharge to the River Finnow and replacement of the existing Mount Leader Pumping Station.

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Irish Water said it has been unable to acquire all of needed wayleaves and lands on a voluntary basis and has now submitted an application to Cork County Council for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).

The scheme forms part of the Irish Water Business Plan, which will see the utility spend an average of €326 million per year on wastewater infrastructure.

Mark Murray, Infrastructure Programmes Lead for Irish Water in the Southern Region, said: "Investment in a new Wastewater Treatment Plant in Millstreet will benefit the environment as the level of wastewater treatment at the new plant will be greatly improved along with the quality of the treated water discharged from the plant.

"The new plant will support future development in the town as it will be have the capacity to treat a greater amount of wastewater. The improved wastewater treatment will ensure that the plant is complying with EU Urban Wastewater Directives."

(LM/MH)