Uisce Éireann have lodged plans for major upgrades at a Cavan wastewater treatment plant.
The significant works are due to be carried out on the Bailieborough Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Bailieborough plant was listed in the EPA's most recent report as a 'priority site'. Priority sites are those which are in urgent need of upgrades in order to meet safety requirements. The EPA's Urban Wastewater Treatment Report for 2023 shows that 58% of the 504 urban wastewater treatment plants had some kind of issue during the year. One of these incidents involved Cavan, where a pump malfunction caused 4.7 million litres of untreated sewage to be pumped into the Cavan river. Uisce Éireann have now lodged plans for major upgrades at the Bailieborough Wastewater Treatement Plant. Included in the plans is the demolition and replacement of existing Inlet works, the construction of a Sludge dewatering building, and an odour control unit. A new storm water holding tank, dual function overflow pipe, a diesel backup unit to be used in emergencies, demolition of existing tanks not used in the future design, and a wash water recycle system to clean equipment are all included in the application. South facing solar panels and the extension of an internal access road make up the final part of the application.
A decision on the major upgrades is due in August.
