Irish Water has teamed up with Northern Ireland Water to carry out works in Lifford, as part of a major cross-border project aiming to improve water quality in Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle.

The Shared Waters Enhancement & Loughs Legacy (SWELL) project, which has been awarded €35m under the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), involves the construction of new wastewater treatment works as well as upgrades to sewerage networks on both sides of the border to address wastewater pollution in Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle. Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Ireland.

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This week works will commence at Lifford wastewater treatment plant, which will improve water quality through enhanced wastewater treatment. BSG Civil Engineering Ltd are contracted to carry out the work on behalf of Irish Water in line with COVID-19 restrictions. The works will continue throughout 2021, with works planned for completion in the summer of 2022.

As part of the upgrade works a new wastewater treatment plant will be constructed on the existing site, providing secondary treatment. The works also include the upgrading of pumps and sewer network at Sally Gardens pumping station.

The existing wastewater treatment plant at Lifford only provides primary treatment and is operating over capacity. The new plant will cater for an increased population capacity and cater up to a 3,000 population equivalent.