A self-contained water treatment plant capable of supplying 6,200 people has been built in Galway to help out in war-torn Ukraine.
Coffey Construction in Athenry have built the fully containerised water treatment plant (WTP) on behalf of Uisce Éireann, and its due to make its way to Ukraine shortly.
In response to urgent calls for support, Uisce Éireann donated two containerised WTP systems in 2022 with a third now ready for shipping.
The self-contained unit is capable of treating up to 40,000 litres per hour which will supply 6,200 people, or the equivalent of 1.6million one-litre bottles of clean water, per day.
Minister of State and Galway TD Anne Rabbitte commended Uisce Éireann for providing continuing support for Ukraine.
“This exemplifies the many ways Ireland, through its people and its state agencies, is showing its solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their time of need.”
“This donation demonstrates collaborative approaches to providing practical and important solutions to support the Ukrainian people. These water units will benefit thousands who are struggling to source fresh, safe drinking water.”
The water treatment unit contains the filters, backwash pump and UV reactors required to fully treat drinking water, along with all the other necessary pipework and equipment to quickly make it operational.
In addition, contact details are provided in English and Ukrainian for any queries which will be provided at no cost by Coffey in Galway.
A fourth containerised WTP system, with an even greater treatment capacity of 120,000 litres per hour, will be donated in the coming months.
With an estimated 1.4 million people have no access to safe running water across Eastern Ukraine alone, according to a recent report from UNICEF, Uisce Éireann is proud to offer assistance.
Niall Gleeson, Uisce Éireann’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Access to safe water is a fundamental human need, and we can often take for granted given our access to fresh and safe water here in Ireland.”
“We know that the situation in Ukraine has resulted in water supply being disrupted entirely or severely polluted, meaning it is unsafe for drinking. We hope our donation of these units will play a role to help some of the people suffering in Ukraine access safe water.”
