Joy as Rush water project is completed

IRISH Water has completed a project in north county Dublin that will prevent the discharge of untreated sewage into the sea. 

The €9.7 million investment in the Rush Wastewater Collection Network Project will stop the equivalent of 8,300 wheelie bins of raw sewage per day going into the sea, benefiting over 9,000 residents, tourists and the environment in Rush. 

The completion of the project will significantly improve the bathing water at South Beach Rush, North Beach and Harbour Road Beach.  

The project will also stop raw sewage surcharging along Skerries Road during times of heavy rainfall.

Before the project began, approximately 75 percent of sewage generated in Rush discharged untreated into the Irish Sea.   

The project included the construction of the new sewer pipes and pumping stations to collect and transfer wastewater from existing outfalls and overflows to the foreshore and then onwards to the wastewater treatment plant at Portrane. 

New pumping stations have been constructed at South Shore, North Beach and East Shore, Rush. 

The project will improve the bathing water quality at South Beach in Rush and has improved the capacity of the network for the future development of Rush.

Esther White, regional lead with Irish Water, said the completion of the project is a significant milestone for the company. 

“Since we took over the responsibility for water and wastewater services in January 2014, addressing the need to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the sea at Rush has been a top priority,” said Ms White. 

“We are delighted to announce that the project is now complete. 

“This project will benefit the community that live, work and socialise in Rush, it will also benefit tourists that visit the area and the environment. 

“Stopping the discharge of untreated sewage into the sea will improve the bathing water, beaches and marine life.”

Ms White said Irish Water would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding while it carried out this work. 

“We wish the community well as they enjoy a cleaner and safer environment,” she added.

Senator James Reilly (FG) said he is delighted that Irish Water has completed the project.

“No more raw sewage will be pumped into the sea in Rush, a lovely town where I live,” said Senator Reilly. 

“I look forward to all the beaches rebuilding their reputations over the next few years and regaining their blue flags for clean bathing water.”