Water investment boost for north city and county

IRISH Water delivered a boost for the Northside last week with updates on major projects that will be welcomed by local residents.

The company turned the sod on a €9.7 million project to protect South Beach Rush, and also issued a progress report on a €1 million investment for the upgrading of a Victorian sewer network in Dublin city.

Sewage problems at Rush South Beach have been well documented in recent times with its closure during the summer to bathers the main cause of angst among locals.

However, it’s anticipated that this investment will significantly improve the bathing water at the beach by stopping the discharge of untreated wastewater into the sea.

It’s expected the Rush project will benefit over 9,000 residents and Fingal’s tourist industry. 

The project includes the construction of a new network pipes to collect wastewater from existing outfalls and overflows to the foreshore at Rush. The wastewater will then be transferred onwards to a wastewater treatment plant at Portrane. 

Three new pumping stations will also be constructed at South Shore, North Beach and East Shore, Rush, and the project is expected to take two years to complete.

Michael Tinsley, Asset Programmes Manager at Irish Water, said the new collection network of wastewater pipes will bring far-reaching benefits for Rush and Fingal. 

“This much-needed project will eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the sea in Rush and has been a top priority for Irish Water since it took over the responsibility for water and wastewater services in January 2014,” he said.

Mr Tinsley added that the transfer of wastewater from Rush to the treatment plant at Portrane is of vital importance in protecting and maintaining water quality for the benefit of the local community and the many tourists who visit the area.

Senator James Reilly (FG), who turned the sod at the beach, said: “I welcome the positive impact this work will have on allowing for long awaited infill development in the area and on making our beautiful beach safe again for the residents of Rush and tourists alike.”

Meanwhile, Irish Water is working closely with Dublin City Council on a programme to upgrade a number of aging and fragile old brick lined sewers in Dublin city centre in a bid to protect the environment and support the development of the city. 

The investment will ensure that the affected city streets are no longer at risk of sewer collapse and flooding which could have a negative impact on local businesses and residents.

Work has been completed on a €550,000 investment in the Parnell Street area. The sewer rehabilitation involved the relining of the sewers extending from Marlborough Street to Gardiner Street, including sections of Parnell Street, North Great George’s Street and Hill Street. 

Separate projects were completed earlier this year on Townsend Street and Pearse Street and a project is progressing for Killarney Street with a combined investment of €450,000.

A contractor has been appointed to commence work on the Killarney Street project and site investigation and survey work will be completed in this month. Full relining of the sewer will begin in the first quarter of 2017.