Irish Water is tapping into a combination of US and Australian technologies to develop the new sewerage system in Gweedore.
Engineers with international suppliers are working with the Irish Water team in Donegal as they develop an innovative system for managing wastewater in the West Donegal network.
The delivery partners from America and Australia were in Donegal this week as part of an intensive three-day series of engagements.
Irish Water is progressing a Demonstration Project serving over 40 properties as the first phase of the Gweedore Sewerage scheme. The project team is currently constructing the main pressure sewer network associated with the Demonstration Project.
Representatives were on hand to explain to the people who are being connected to the Demonstration Project, the business community and elected representatives in Gweedore, how the system will be installed, how it works and to answer any queries that arose.
The new sewerage scheme when completed will improve the water quality in Gweedore Bay and local rivers and streams; provide better treatment of wastewater to protect the environment and ensure Gweedore is in compliance with Irish and European regulations.
Following completion of these works, installation of the pods and associated works will take place at individual properties. The collected wastewater will be treated at the existing Údaras na Gaeltachta wastewater treatment plant.
Irish Water’s Mark O’Callaghan explained how the system will work: “Wastewater from the house or business will flow by gravity into the pump pod. When the amount of wastewater reaches a certain level, the wastewater will be liquidised and then pumped through a small pipe away to the main network and on to the wastewater treatment plant. The innovative control system will manage the network to ensure that both the individual pods and the overall system functions properly.”