An Bord Pleanála clears the way for upgrade to Limerick waste-water facility
THERE’S going to be an upgrade to the waste water treatment plant in Limerick’s fastest growing suburbs.
Uisce Eireann, formerly Irish Water, has secured permission from An Bord Pleanála for multi-million improvement works to the Castletroy waste-water scheme.
The State utility scheme says the upgrade of the site - located near the Groody River behind University of Limerick - is necessary to cater for the likely increase in population in the Castletroy area.
Currently, the plant serves 45,000 people located in Castletroy, Annacotty, Mountshannon, and Castleconnell as well as University of Limerick.
However, Uisce Eireann has warned that population growth and increased industrial development will cause this facility to become overloaded in the coming years.
It’s paved the way for the application to upgrade the facility, with the firm working in tandem with Limerick City and County Council on the project.
“The plant is currently operating at the upper limits of its capacity and Uisce Eireann has identified that an upgrade is required,” the firm stated.
These improvements, it is anticipated, will support a population of around 77,500 people.
Uisce Eireann pointed out there is currently no provision for storm water storage at its Castletroy plant.
This means that during heavy rainfall, excess storm water is discharged untreated into the Lower River Shannon.
To remedy this, there will be construction of a new storm water storage tank, installation of new treatment filters and a lifting pump.
Elsewhere, the existing treatment tanks will be upgraded to allow for the additional capacity, with a new sludge holding tank also introduced.
Now An Bord Pleanála has given the project permission, it's anticipated that it will be complete by 2026.
In a document stating its reasons for approving the upgrade, An Bord Pleanála wrote: “The benefits of the proposed development are considered to be positive.
“It’s delivery would assist Ireland in meeting obligations set down under EU directives, national legislation and planning policy expressed through the hierarchy of plans which regulate development at a national, regional and local level,” it adds.
The national planning authority granted Uisce Eireann the permission subject to 12 conditions.
Among these is a stipulation the work must be completed within a decade.
Odour levels must be complied with, while a traffic management plan must be put in place.
Work to upgrade the facility can only take place between 8am and 7pm Mondays to Fridays inclusive, and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.
No work is permitted on site on Sundays and public holidays, with deviations from these rules only allowed in exceptional circumstances.