The new Castletowngeoghegan Waste Water Treatment Plant has been officially opened in Westmeath.

The recently completed Castletown Geoghegan Sewerage Scheme will provide improved drainage facilities for existing and future housing and commercial development within the village and immediate environs.

The new treatment works is designed for a population equivalent of 500 persons.

Construction of the sewer network comprising approximately 4,000 m of 225mm dia gravity sewer began in September 2007.

Construction of the sewage treatment works began in March 2008. The sewer network and the treatment works are now complete and ready for operation.

The investment in the region comprises of a pumping station and sewer network flows with a capacity to pump 6DWF (8.0 l/s).

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It also includes the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) which provides treatment for a design load of 500 population equivalent comprises aeration by fine bubble diffusers followed by settlement.

The treated effluent from the treatment plant is discharged to the Monaghstown Stream which runs close to the site.

The treatment plant employs the activated sludge process.

The sewage is pumped to the aeration tank where it is mixed with micro organisms (biomass) and aerated (supplied with oxygen).

The biomass is later separated from the treated sewage and returned to the aeration tank.

Aeration is provided by means of fine bubble diffusers on the floor of the aeration tank. Air is supplied from two air blowers, which operate on a duty/standby basis.

The tank is 6.0 m diameter and a liquid depth of 3.75.m. The aeration zone is designed to operate as a completely mixed system to achieve uniform loading conditions and to provide buffering for shock loads.

The treatment plant also includes a facility for the reduction of phosphates.

This plant will significantly improve the quality of the receiving waters and contribute to the meeting water quality targets under the water Framework Directive.

"The village of Castletowngeoghan will benefit form the improved infrastructure and possibilities for development," said a county council spokesman.

(PR/JM)