Mutton Island upgrade to double capacity

A €6.4million upgrade to the Mutton Island Wastewater Treatment Plant will double its capacity, equipping it to cater for a population of 170,000 for the next twenty years.

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has approved the funding and Galway City Council are at the final stages of procurement.

Work on the upgrade will start by the end of the year as soon as the contract is signed but there will be no interruption to the service and the works will go mostly unnoticed to the general population.

Some heavy machinery will be used to transport some materials to Mutton Island during the construction period.

Ciarán Hayes, Director of Services for Infrastructure said that the upgrade would bring the treatment plant to its maximum capacity and would serve the city for the next two decades.

“We will be operating within the existing footprint of the plant and the upgrade will involve the installation of additional and improved equipment.

“When we got the original licence for the treatment plant it was for a capacity population of 91,000,” he said.

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan in announcing funding for the upgrade said the scope of the works included the upgrade of the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant at Mutton Island to meet increased loading over a 20 year period.

“The financial support from my Department for this project reflects the commitment for continuing investment in our wastewater schemes to ensure that the discharges into our rivers, lakes and coastal water meets the highest international standards.

“This approval will allow the City Council complete tender formalities with the successful tender with a view to work starting on the contract as quickly as possible,” he said.

The announcement was welcomed by Deputy Brian Walsh, who described the project as a major infrastructural undertaking that would benefit Galway in the short-term and provide for its development and growth in the years ahead.

“The rapid growth of the city and its environs in recent times has put a significant strain on the existing wastewater system, which is fast approaching its design capacity.

“The provision of funding for this project is a major step for Galway that will not only create jobs and serve to stimulate the economy in the short term, but it will also facilitate projected commercial, residential and industrial growth into the future,” he said.

Senator Hildegarde Naughton also welcomed the announcement adding that it was critical to the future development of tourism, investment and jobs in the city and region.