June 1st saw the opening of Ireland’s newest waste water plant. The treatment plant was constructed as part of the Waterford Main Drainage Scheme. A total of €82 million has been invested in the scheme with this plant costing €38 million. Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister of the Department of the environment, community and Local Government, formally opened the Waterford City Wastewater Treatment Plant on Friday last.
The biological treatment plant complies with EU directives and will be operated and maintained by Anglian Water International. The plant will service the north and south of Waterford city along with parts of Co. Kilkenny. The scheme was funded under Mr. Hogan’s Department’s Water Service Investment Programme. The plant will eliminate existing discharges of untreated waste water to the River Suir and will improve the river’s water quality.
Mr. Hogan told the local Waterford Today that, “the new Wastewater Treatment Plant costing over €38 million, provides the infrastructure needed to cater for current and future residential and industrial development in the Waterford City and its environs, as well as areas of Co. Kilkenny contiguous to the city and in Belview adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant while at the same time protecting the local environment.”
“The new plant will achieve the standards required by the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive before discharging to the River Suir.”