Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project

Transcription

1 Obair i gcomhpháirtíocht Working in partnership Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project IW/CP/CLH/B/ IW-Cork-Drainage-Booklet-v7.indd 1 02/05/ :14

2 If you have any questions or require further information you can contact the project team: Web: Telephone: (LoCall, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) Minicom: (for hearing impaired customers with their own minicom equipment) Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project Irish Water PO Box 860 South City Delivery Office Cork City Safeguarding your water for your future 2 Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project Irish Water IW-Cork-Drainage-Booklet-v7.indd 2 02/05/ :14

3 The challenge Cork Lower Harbour is world renowned. It has a rich maritime history and a proud industrial tradition. It supports employment, fosters tourism and provides many opportunities for water based activities. Cobh, Passage West, Glenbrook, Monkstown, Carrigaline, Shanbally and Ringaskiddy are just some of the areas that border the harbour. At present untreated raw sewage is being discharged into the Lower Harbour. This practice is no longer acceptable. The solution In order to comply with Irish statutory regulations and the European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, Irish Water and Cork County Council intend to fix this problem. A sustainable Wastewater Treatment Plant will bring benefits in terms of health, integrity of the environment and improved water quality for all of us who enjoy this wonderful natural resource. Irish Water Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project IW-Cork-Drainage-Booklet-v7.indd 3 02/05/ :14

4 What does the project involve? The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project consists of: A new Wastewater Treatment Plant (WwTP) 15 new pumping stations Approximately 40km of new sewers A drilled crossing under the estuary The raw sewage from Cobh, Passage West, Glenbrook, Monkstown, Carrigaline, Ringaskiddy and Shanbally will be collected into new pipes and redirected to a new WwTP plant at Shanbally. The treated wastewater will then be safely discharged into the estuary via an existing pipeline near Dog Nose Point. Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project 4 Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project Irish Water IW-Cork-Drainage-Booklet-v7.indd 4 02/05/ :14

5 The treatment processes will include: 1. Preliminary treatment Wastewater will pass through screens that will remove paper, wood and plastic materials. The wastewater will then enter large cylindrical tanks which allow grit to drop to the bottom for removal and disposal. 2. Primary treatment Solids are removed by means of a settling process. The solids are removed as sludge and taken away for further treatment before use as fertiliser on agricultural land. The treated flows pass forward to the next stage. 3. Secondary treatment Oxygen is bubbled through the wastewater to encourage bacteria to thrive; this is a proven biological process. These bacteria remove impurities in the wastewater. The sludge generated from this process will combine with that from the primary process and will be taken from the plant. Irish Water Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project IW-Cork-Drainage-Booklet-v7.indd 5 02/05/ :14

6 What are the benefits of the project? With this development water quality in Cork Harbour will significantly improve. Cleaner water will enhance the Harbour s amenity value and act as a platform for social and economic development. The project includes the capacity for future growth in the Harbour area. The new pipes, pumping stations and treatment plant have all been sized to accommodate an increase in the local population. Irish Water and Cork County Council are making a long term investment in Cork. Furthermore it will ensure that the water quality standards set down by regulatory bodies will be achieved and this will help Ireland to avoid substantial penalties. What stage is the project at now? Cork County Council in conjunction with Irish Water has a dedicated team, who are currently finalising the design. Competitive tenders for the works will soon be issued and construction is scheduled to commence in early An Bord Pleanála have granted their approval for the construction of the WwTP and the next step involves applying for planning permission for the 15 pumping stations that are planned around the harbour. In order for Ireland to avoid substantial EU penalties, the project must be completed by Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project Irish Water IW-Cork-Drainage-Booklet-v7.indd 6 02/05/ :14

7 How can I be kept informed? Constructing the new WwTP, the pumping stations and pipe network is a big undertaking and a major investment in Cork. Safety is our number one priority and every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum, especially during the busy summer tourist season. Meetings with community representatives and local interest groups have begun and these will continue to be an integral part of the project as it gets underway. Irish Water Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project IW-Cork-Drainage-Booklet-v7.indd 7 02/05/ :14

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