A programme of wastewater infrastructure upgrades has got underway in the County Cork village of Boherbue.

Irish Water and Cork County Council are working together to deliver the project, which will ensure that wastewater is adequately treated before being discharged into the Brogeen River.

Speaking about the beginning of construction, Anthony Kavanagh, Asset Delivery Regional Lead with Irish Water, said: "We are delighted to be delivering this important project on behalf of the people of Boherbue. 

"Currently the existing wastewater infrastructure in the village is overloaded and outdated. The effluent does not consistently meet the standard required by the EPA licence and some parameters of the licence cannot be achieved with the assets that are currently in place.

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"The modernisation and improvement of the wastewater infrastructure will ensure that cleaner and safer effluent is being discharged into the Brogeen River and will accommodate further growth in the Boherbue area.

"We are aiming to install over 100 solar panels, generating clean, renewable energy which will improve energy efficiency at the plant and reduce carbon emissions."

Glan Agua, which is carrying out the works on behalf of Irish Water, is expected to have the construction completed in early 2024.

The project involves decommissioning of the existing plant and its associated structures, and construction of the new facility on the same site in Laharn West, new inlet works, a stormwater tank, biological treatment process, tertiary solids removal, sludge drying reed beds, and a solar panel farm. The project will also reuse the existing constructed wetlands to maintain habitats for animals and plants.

The scheme is one of several Early Contractor Involvement projects to incorporate solar into the site's electricity needs and reduce carbon emissions.

This, coupled with the use of natural sludge drying reed beds and the constructed wetlands, improves the sustainability of Boherbue wastewater treatment plant.