Upgrade to the Enfield Wastewater Treatment Plant complete, benefiting the environment by improving the efficacy of the plant

Irish Water has completed an upgrade to the Enfield Wastewater Treatment Plant. The €50,000 investment has improved the treatment processes at the plant to ensure the plant is operating more efficiently. The investment at the plant will have substantial environmental benefits as the investment has improved the quality of the treated discharges that are returned to the Blackwater River.

The investment in the Enfield Wastewater Treatment Plant will help to ensure that the treatment plant is compliant with EU Urban Wastewater Directives. Investing in Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure is a key priority for Irish Water. Between 2014 and 2015, we  invested €166m in Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure, an increase of 22% from 2011 to 2013. From 2016 – 2021, the remaining period of the Irish Water Business Plan, the utility is ramping up investment to spend an average of €326m per year on wastewater infrastructure. The investment in the Enfield Wastewater Treatment Plant is part of this investment programme.

Commenting on the project Padraig Farrell Capital Programme Lead, East and Midlands Region said “Investment in the Enfield Wastewater Treatment plant has increased the efficiency of the plant and improve the quality of treated discharges into the Blackwater River. This investment will benefit the environment as the risk to overflows into the Blackwater River has been reduced.”

Irish Water collects wastewater from over 1,000 separate communities connected to the wastewater network and treats around 1,600 million litres of wastewater daily before discharging it back into our rivers, harbours and coastal areas. By 2021, as outlined in the Irish Water Business Plan, we plan to have all discharges to our rivers and seas treated before being released. Our programme of work will include, not only improving capacity to ensure Irish Water can facilitate the growth of the new homes and industry but also protecting our coasts, which has a huge impact on tourism and local businesses.

For more information, please view the Irish Water Business Plan in full.