Carrigans Shared Waters Enhancement and Loughs Legacy (SWELL) project
Uisce Éireann has completed the upgrade works at Carrigans wastewater treatment plant, improving water quality in Lough Foyle.
For a full progress update see SWELL's recent Ezine here. Uisce Éireann has completed upgrade works at Carrigans Wastewater Treatment Plant. The works were delivered as part of the Shared Waters Enhancement & Loughs Legacy (SWELL) project. A €35m EU-funded project which aimed to improve the quality of water in Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle through the upgrade of wastewater assets on both sides of the border.
BSG Civil Engineering Ltd. carried out works on behalf of Uisce Éireann to deliver the project.
Carrigans Wastewater Treatment Plant currently provides primary treatment. The plant was originally designed to cater for a population equivalent (PE) of 280PE however it was estimated that the previous wastewater load received at the plant was approximately 330PE. The plant discharged via an outfall pipeline directly into the Carrigans River, which is part of the River Foyle (a Special Area of Conservation). There were no storm water holding facilities on site and as a result excess flows had overflown to the outlet chamber and discharged via the discharge pipe into Carrigans River.
The SWELL project was funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This project was supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Why is this project needed?
The existing plant is currently operating above capacity and needs to be upgraded to meet the needs of the village and protect the environment by ensuring that receiving waters are not impacted.
Upon completion the project will:
- Bring benefits to the village by meeting the current needs of the area and allowing for future growth.
- Reduce the impact of storm water overflows.
- Improve water quality in Lough Foyle and nearby coastal areas.
- Ensure wastewater is treated and discharged in compliance with EU regulations.
What is involved as part of this project?
In order to overcome these deficiencies, it is proposed to pump the untreated wastewater to St. Johnston Wastewater Treatment Plant. The upgrade at Carrigans Wastewater Treatment Plant will involve:
- Decommissioning of the existing Carrigans Wastewater Treatment Plant septic tank, converting this to a storm tank and constructing a new pumping station at the site.
- Construction of a new rising main over a distance of 3,500m to transfer the wastewater for treatment at the St. Johnston Wastewater Treatment Plant.