Irish Water is to bring forward a new upgrade proposal for Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dublin today, 06 June.

A planning application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála seeking approval for works required to facilitate the use of innovative Aerobic Granular Sludge technology; to omit the long sea outfall; to upgrade the sludge treatment facilities; and to provide for a Regional Biosolids Storage Facility in Newtown, Dublin.

The project will use AGS technology to ensure that the wastewater is treated to a higher standard.

Jean Hobbs, Project Manager at Irish Water, said: "This is a priority project for Irish Water and is vital for future social and economic development in Dublin, as well as for public health and for improving the waters and ecology of the Lower Liffey Estuary and Dublin Bay. Having identified AGS technology as appropriate for use in the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant, we began detailed testing and trials in April 2015 at the plant. These trials proved hugely successful, confirming that wastewater treated by AGS technology can be safely and effectively discharged at the current outfall location while protecting the conservation designations in the Liffey Estuary and Dublin Bay.

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"The application that we are making today will allow the plant to be upgraded to facilitate this innovative technology while supporting future population growth and ensuring that the plant operates to the highest possible environmental standards into the future."

A seven week statutory consultation on the application will commence on 12 June and close on 31 July.

Irish Water has further plans to submit an application for its Greater Dublin Drainage project, which includes a new wastewater treatment plant in Clonsaugh.

(CM)