Boherbue Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

Uisce Éireann has completed an upgrade of Boherbue Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Uisce Éireann, working with Cork County Council, has completed an over €9 million upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant at Boherbue. This project has improved the performance and capacity of the plant, as well as the quality of water discharged into receiving waters. Glanua delivered the project on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

The original wastewater infrastructure in the village was overloaded and outdated and the wastewater effluent did not consistently meet the standards required by the EPA licence, due to the assets that were in place. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the River Brogeen which is a protected conservation area and home to the freshwater pearl mussel. 

What was involved in this project?

• Decommissioning of the existing plant and its associated structures
• Construction of a new facility in the townland of Laharn West to serve a population equivalent of 1200.
• New Inlet Works, Stormwater tank, biological treatment process, tertiary solids removal, Sludge drying reed beds.
• Solar Panel farm (over 100 solar panels) and continued use of the existing constructed wetlands.
• Connection to the existing outfall pipe to safely discharge treated wastewater into the Brogeen River.

What are the benefits of this project?

• Modernised and improved performance of the wastewater treatment infrastructure in Boherbue.
• Improved quality of water discharged into the Brogeen River.
• Increased capacity of the wastewater treatment plant, which will accommodate further growth in the Boherbue area.
• Protection of a designated conservation area and habitat of the freshwater pearl mussel.
• Ensure compliance with National and EU regulatory standards regarding the treatment of wastewater.
• Generation of clean, renewable energy, utilising solar panels which will improve energy efficiency at the plant and reduce carbon emissions.
• Improved sustainability of the treatment plant, using natural sludge drying reed beds and the constructed wetlands.

Next Steps

• Works were completed in March 2024.
• We would like to thank the community for their continued support as we delivered this essential wastewater infrastructure.
• For further information you can visit our Dedicated Project page.