BSG Engineering has started work to upgrade wastewater treatment plants in Carrigans and Killea, Co Donegal.

Irish Water has aprtnered with NI Water to undertake the works 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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The upgrade works in Carrigans involves the construction of a new pumping station at the site of the existing wastewater treatment plant along with a new rising main to transfer wastewater for treatment to St. Johnston Wastewater Treatment Plant. In Killea, a new wastewater treatment plant will be constructed on the existing site providing secondary treatment. Currently, the wastewater treatment plants in Carrigans and Killea only provide primary treatment and are operating above capacity. The upgrade works will increase the capacity at both treatment plants.

The works are expected to be completed by January 2022, with commissioning works to continue until summer 2022.