Innovative water project in Gweedore reaches the halfway stage

12 January 2022

Tá lúcháir ar Uisce Éireann in éineacht lena chomhpháirtí Údaráis Áitiúil, Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall, a fhógairt go bhfuil suiteáil na gcochall mar chuid den Tionscadal Taispeántais nuálach i nGaoth Dobhair ag dul chun cinn go maith agus níos mó ná leath de na chochaill suiteáilte anois. Leis an tionscadal sin réiteofar fadhb na cóireála séarachais easpaigh i nGaoth Dobhair, a ró-spleáchas ar úsáid na gcóras do dhabhcha séarachais agus cuirfear feabhas ar cháilíocht an uisce i mBá Ghaoth Dobhair. Soláthróidh an tionscadal tairbhí comhshaoil, tacóidh sé le fás amach anseo sa cheantar agus cinnteoidh sé go gcomhlíonfar an Treoir maidir le Cóireáil Fuíolluisce Uirbigh.

Ag labhairt dó faoi na hoibreacha, mhínigh Patrick Green as Uisce Éireann: “Tá ríméad orainn a fhógairt go bhfuil oibreacha i nGaoth Dobhair á gcur chun cinn de réir an sceidil. Seo an dara céim d’oibreacha atá á ndéanamh mar chuid de Scéim Séarachais Ghaoth Dobhair. I gcéim a haon de na hoibreacha in 2019, suiteáladh an líonra brúphíobán séaraigh a bhaineann leis an tionscadal seo. Faoi choinne sin b’éigean thart ar 2.5 km de líonra úr fuíolluisce a shuiteáil feadh Bhóthar na Monarcha, an Bhóthair Íochtaraigh agus an bhóthair ceangail a nascann an dá cheann. Mar chuid den dara céim seo d’oibreacha, tá 20 ceann de na 40 cochall suiteáilte ag Uisce Éireann i nGaoth Dobhair anois. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a ghlacadh chun buíochas a ghabháil leis an bpobal áitiúil agus leo siúd atá páirteach sa scéim as a dtacaíocht leanúnach agus na hoibreacha seo ag dul chun cinn."

Bainfidh tairbhí forleathana leis an tionscadal seo don phobal i gcoitinne. Ag labhairt dó faoi na tionchair dhearfach sin, dúirt Patrick: “Beidh laghdú ar an spleáchas ar dhabhcha séarachais sa cheantar mar thoradh ar deireadh ar an scéim séarachais nuálach úr seo. Laghdóidh sé sin scaoileadh fuíolluisce neamhchóireáilte sa timpeallacht tríd an gcóireáil fuíolluisce a fheabhsú. Nuair a bheidh an tionscadal críochnaithe rachaidh sé sin chun tairbhe na ndaoine a bhfuil cónaí orthu ansin agus na gcuairteoirí chuig an gceantar agus beidh tionchar dearfach suntasach aige ar cháilíocht an uisce i mBá Ghaoth Dobhair agus cuirfear feabhas ar cháilíocht an uisce do snámhaithe, do shurfálaithe agus d’iascairí.”

Tá an obair á soláthar ag Cleantech Civils thar ceann Uisce Éireann. Táthar ag súil go nglacfaidh sé timpeall ceithre mhí na cochaill eile a shuiteáil agus go nglacfaidh sé thart ar ceithre mhí na hoibreacha gaolmhara a chur i gcrích. Déanfar an fuíolluisce a bhaileofar a chóireáil ansin ag Ionad Cóireála Fuíolluisce reatha Údarás na Gaeltachta. Déanfar uasghrádú suntasach ar an ionad cóireála fuíolluisce sin chomh maith lena chinntiú go mbeidh caighdeáin chothabhála Uisce Éireann á gcomhlíonadh i gcónaí.

Tá an tionscadal seo ina chuid de phlean infheistíochta Uisce Éireann i gcás gur tugadh tús áite d’oibreacha a dhíreofar ar na ceisteanna is tábhachtaí i gcomhréir leis na tiomantais atá leagtha amach i bplean gnó Uisce Éireann. 

Tá Uisce Éireann freagrach as gach seirbhís uisce agus fuíolluisce phoiblí a sholáthar in Éirinn. Táimid tiomanta do bhonneagar criticiúil a uasghrádú agus a fhorbairt ar bhonn leanúnach chun tacú leis an bhfás atá riachtanach i dtithíocht agus ar fud ár ngeilleagair, agus an comhshaol á chosaint agus soláthairtí uisce á gcosaint.

Le haghaidh tuilleadh sonraí i ndáil leis an tionscadal, féach ár leathanach tionscadail um Scéim Séarachais Ghaoth Dobhair.

Uisce Éireann along with its Local Authority partner Donegal County Council, is delighted to announce that the installation of the pods as part of the innovative Demonstration Project in Gweedore is progressing well with over half of the pods now successfully installed. This project will solve the problem of inadequate sewage treatment in Gweedore, its over reliance on the use of septic tank systems and will improve water quality in Gweedore Bay. The project will provide environmental benefits, support future growth in the area and ensure compliance with Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

Speaking about the works, Uisce Éireann’s Patrick Greene explained: “We are delighted to announce that works in Gweedore are progressing on schedule. This is the second phase of works being undertaken as part of the Gweedore Sewerage Scheme. Phase one of the works in 2019, saw the successful installation of the pressure sewer network associated with this project. This required the installation of approximately 2.5km of new wastewater network along Factory Road, the Lower Road and the link road connecting both. As part of this second phase of works, Uisce Éireann has now successfully installed 20 of the 40 pods in Gweedore. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community and those participating in the scheme for their continued support as these works progress.”

The benefits of this project to the wider community will be far reaching. Speaking about these positive impacts Patrick said: “This innovative new sewerage scheme will ultimately lead to a reduction on the reliance of septic tanks in the area. This will decrease the discharge of untreated wastewater to the environment by enhancing the treatment of wastewater. Upon completion, the project will benefit all those living and visiting the area and will have a significant positive impact on water quality in Gweedore Bay and improve water quality for swimmers, surfers and fishermen.”

Cleantech Civils is delivering the work on behalf of Uisce Éireann. It is expected that the installation of the remaining pods and associated works will take approximately four months to complete. The collected wastewater will then be treated at the existing Údaras na Gaeltachta Wastewater Treatment Plant. This wastewater treatment plant will also undergo a significant upgrade to ensure continued compliance with Uisce Éireann maintenance standards.

This project forms part of Uisce Éireann’s investment plan where works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Uisce Éireann’s business plan. 

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.

For more details on the project, please check out our Gweedore Sewerage Scheme project page.