Athlone Water Supply Scheme Upgrade
Uisce Éireann is progressing essential works to safeguard the water supply for customers in Athlone.
Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Westmeath County Council, has completed the next phase of upgrade works at the water treatment plant in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Phase 1 of the project supplements and supports current infrastructure and will ensure a more secure water supply to homes and businesses in Athlone in the short term. Previously, the water treatment plant in Athlone could not meet peak demand for water in Athlone and environs. Combined with extensive leakage reduction, these works will enable the plant to securely supply drinking water to businesses and residents in Athlone and will also provide the necessary capacity to carry out planned maintenance and further upgrade the existing processes.
The advanced phase 2 programme of works were also recently completed. This included the upgrade of the sedimentation tanks in the existing water treatment plant. The works were carried out by Veolia Water Ireland on behalf of Uisce Éireann.
What is involved as part of the overall project?
The existing water treatment plant is being upgraded in two phases with the objective of increasing capacity in order to meet the long term demands for Athlone into the future. Phase 1 and 2a are now complete and included:
- Installation of a supplementary treatment stream inclusive of clarification, filtration and disinfection systems.
- Upgrade of the sedimentation tanks
What was involved in this recently completed phase of works?
- The existing clarification aids in the four sedimentation tanks at the Athlone Water Treatment Plant had begun to fail and required urgent replacement.
- It was possible to carry out these works without interrupting supply once the Phase 1 supplementary stream was operational earlier this year.
- Each sedimentation tank was isolated and upgraded one at a time to remove and replace the existing failing equipment.
- The new clarification aids, known as tube settlers, provide significantly increased treatment capacity for future demand and improves clarified water quality without a requirement for additional chemical or energy use.
- This also allows Uisce Éireann to cater for growth in demand, without the requirement for additional large steel or concrete structures and associated land.
- This is a prime example of Uisce Éireann's commitment to sustainable development and considering the overall environmental impacts of our works.
What are the benefits of these works?
- Ensure the delivery of safe, clean drinking water to residents and businesses in Athlone and the surrounding area
- Improve the control and reliability of the water supply
- Support economic and social development in the area
- Ensure compliance with current drinking water quality regulations.
What are the next steps?
Phase 1 provides interim security of supply for demand in the network, however crucially it also provides the headroom required to allow the commencement of Phase 2.
Phase 2 involves upgrading and increasing the capacity of the existing treatment processes in a carefully planned sequence. The design and planning stage of the main body of Phase 2 works is about to commence, with the construction stage programmed to commence in 2023. This will include:
- Expanding the inlet and intake pumping station
- Upgrading the coagulation, flocculation and clarification systems
- Upgrading the filtration process.
- Upgrading the disinfection processes and associated works.
Upon completion of the Phase 1 works, it was possible to immediately progress with an advance Phase 2 package of works to upgrade the existing Sedimentation Tanks. This package of work is now complete.
We will endeavour to update you on the progress of the remaining Phase 2 works.
Other investment in the Athlone Water Supply Scheme:
As part of Uisce Éireann's Energy Efficiency Programme, we are implementing energy efficient design for all projects as well as energy efficiency measures into the operation of our treatment plants where possible. This includes upgrading, replacing, and optimising inefficient plants and processes across the country to improve our energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Upgrades have also been completed to the existing pumping station for the Annagh Reservoir. This has resulted in an estimated reduction in energy consumption by over 25% or 175,462kWh per year, and yearly savings of €27,974.
