A €5m state-of-the-art waste water treatment plant has been officially opened in Sligo, with public representatives lauding the work of contractors Electrical Pump Services Ltd.

The Enniscrone development was designed to improve infrastructure in the area, and its completion was heartily welcomed by Minister of State Michael Kitt.

"Against the present economic backdrop, this is the clearest possible statement by the government of the priority we are giving to preserving and protecting our water resources and providing critical infrastructure," said Mr Kitt.

Sligo Council's Director of Services Tom Kilfeather commended the project team, which consisted of water services staff of Sligo County Council, client’s representative, Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd and the main contractors Electrical Pump Services.

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"They have worked not only on the Enniscrone plant but on six other schemes around the county – Ballisodare, Coolaney, Dromore West, Easkey, Aclare and Cloonacool, signifying a €12m investment by the council in waste water treatment and are being provided by means of Design/Build/Operate contracts," said Mr Kilfeather.

During the past 10 years the local water services section has managed the construction of 25 new treatment plants and over 180km of new pipelines.

This represents a total investment of €110m but the majority of this infrastructure is buried underground and is not readily apparent to the general public.

The new facility in Enniscrone incorporates primary and secondary treatment, stormwater attenuation, sludge dewatering and very importantly, remote monitoring which requires a dial out alarm system in the event of a malfunction.

It has the capacity to treat a population equivalent of 5,000 and ensures that all treated effluent discharged into Killala Bay is in full compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive standards.

This will support Enniscrone’s bid to reclaim their coveted Blue Flag status for its beaches.

(PR)