Lough Mask upgrade expected to begin in September

Lough Mask upgrade expected to begin in September


Anton McNulty
antonmcnulty@mayonews.ie

The upgrade of the Lough Mask water treatment plant will increase its capacity by nearly 50 per cent and significantly reduce the risk of cryptosporidium in the public’s water supply.
The Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan approved the €6 million of funding for the upgrade of the Tourmakeady water treatment plant as part of the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme. The €8 million project will also include a minor upgrade of the water intake, the expansion of the existing raw water high lift pumping station at the lake shore and the laying of an additional raw water rising main.
The project is expected to commence in September and according to Noel Burke, Senior Engineer with Mayo County Council, is expected to take a year to complete. Mr Burke told The Mayo News that the upgrade of the capacity from its current capacity of 27,300 cubic metres to 40,600 cubic metres will increase the liability of the scheme and will allow for further expansions in the future.
“Lough Mask serves 60 per cent of the public water supply in the county and the capacity will be increased by about 50 per cent. It will allow for the expansion of the scheme to Kiltimagh and if the increase requires for industry to Westport or indeed any other town.
“The upgrade will improve the filtration system which is a key element of it as it will meet the EPA guidelines. This will reduce the risk of cryptosporidium in the future which is a serious issue with surface water,” he said.
Mayo County Council will contribute approximately €1.3 million as part of the polluter pays contribution and works are set to be carried out by Response Engineering Ltd.
The Minister’s announcement was welcomed by the local TD’s in the county.

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