Irish Water has begun the upgrade of wastewater infrastructure in Midleton as part of the Midleton Local infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) project, according to Fine Gael TD for Cork East, David Stanton.
“Following the signing of a construction contract with GEDA Construction Ltd. in June, Irish Water has now confirmed that works have now begun on the wastewater pipeline from Midleton to Carrigtwohill. This is a vital step in the development of Midleton’s wastewater infrastructure which when completed will increase local wastewater capacity and enable load diversion to Carrigtwohill if necessary, which in turn will reduce existing wastewater volumes to the Midleton Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
“The construction of a 6km wastewater pipeline from Midleton to Carrigtwohill is the first step in the upgrade process with further phases seeing the development of two new wastewater pumping stations and associated infrastructure. With local wastewater capacity issues arising in recent times, such an upgrade is paramount in ensuring further housing development in the wider Midleton area and confirmation of the beginning of upgrade works is very welcome news”, said Deputy Stanton.
Together with Cork County Council, Irish Water will now progress the Midleton LIHAF wastewater improvement project in four phases:
- Phase 1 –The construction of 6 km of wastewater pipeline from the Nordic Enterprise Park in Midleton to Carrigtwohill. Works have already begun and are primarily focussed within the enterprise park.
- Phase 2 – Theconstruction of a new wastewater pumping station at Water Rock, on land adjacent to Nordic Enterprise Park. Work crews have mobilised at this site with construction planned to begin in late summer.
- Phase 3 – The construction of 300 metres of gravity sewer from the Nordic Enterprise Park to the Northern Relief Road roundabout. An application for planning permission has been submitted for further works on a new wastewater pipeline from this roundabout to the R626 Millbrook Crescent Road southbound to the rail crossing.
- Phase 4 – It is planned to construct a new wastewater pumping station at Millbrook Crescent adjacent to the R626 and Northern Relief Road. This phase of work also forms part of the application which has been submitted for planning permission.
Irish Water expects the upgrade works to be completed in 18 months, pending planning approval on two aspects of the overall project.
“Now that works have begun and a timeline for completion of the upgrade has been established, I am hopeful that the project can continued to progress without further disruption given the strong demand for social and private housing in the Midleton area”, concluded David Stanton.
