A €13 million upgrade to the sewer system in Athenry is due to get underway in March, to deal with untreated sewage going into the River Clarin.
The upgrades to the wastewater collection system in Athenry is meant to tack sewer flooding, deal with the discharge of non-compliant sewer overflows into the River Clarin.
It will also improve the capacity of the sewer network allowing for future population growth and economic development of Athenry and the surrounding area.
Speaking about the works, Eunan Canavan, Wastewater Regional Delivery Lead with Uisce Éireann, said,“Delivering this project for the community is an immense source of pride for Uisce Éireann and Galway County Council.”
“All new infrastructure has been sized to accommodate future population growth and the project will enhance the local environment and provide a platform for social and economic development well into the future”.
The project will involve decommissioning the existing combined sewer overflow at North Gate street in the town centre, and replacing the sewers from the Cuirt Ard/Caheroyan Road junction to the Caheroyan Pumping Station.
That pumping station is to be decommissioned and completely removed, and a new station will be built adjacent to Pairc na hAbhainn housing estate.
New sewers starting at North Gate will be laid to the new pumping station, as will a new sewer from the site of the decommissioned station, both of which will cross the River Clarin.
A rising main will go from the new pumping station to the Athenry Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Work on the project will get underway in March under Coffey Construction, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Another benefit of these works should be an improvement in the water quality of the River Clarin, protecting recreational waters for fishing and sightseeing, as well as protecting the integrity of the local environment.
