The scattered showers and strong winds did not take from the energy and positivity emanating from those who gathered on Liscannor harbour on Friday morning, as the sod was turned on the new wastewater treatment plant for the village and its community.
The communities of Kilrush and Kilfenora also had something to celebrate as the contracts for their wastewater infrastructure was also issued. There was a strong turn out of teh county’s Oireachtas members who were pleased the works were commencing.
Senator Martin Conway has campaigned for many years for this infrastuture and was happy to be in attendance on Friday.
“I am delighted that this project is finally going ahead. We have campaigned for it for a number of years and at this stage Liscannor is an important cog in the toruism wheel of county Clare, it’s nestled between the Cliffs of Moher and Lahinch and this community deserves the best possible infrastructure in terms of water, wastewater and so forth. I am delighted that Irish Water are going ahead with this investment and I look forward to the work starting and to its completion,” he said.
The works in Liscannor will be carried out by the EPS Group and some of the work details include the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant which will serve a population equivalent of 1,790; the construction of a storm water storage tank as well as a new pump station with emergency storage; the construction of approximately 1.3km of sewer pipelines; the connection to the existing outfall pipe to safely discharge treated wastewater into Liscannor Bay.
Also in attendance was Joe Carey TD who also outlined the project importance: “It’s an important project for Clare, for Liscannor. This system that is being funded by Irish Water and worked on by Clare County Council will significantly improve the wastewater and water here in a renowned area of county Clare for tourism actuivity in particular so it is a vital scheme. I’d like to express my thanks to Irish Water and Clare County Council for the work they have done to make sure the work goes ahead here today”
Cathal Crowe TD said: “This is a part of the jewel in the crown of the Wild Atlantic Way in our county and what people don’t see is what happens underground when toilets are flushed from homes and businesses around here and for far too long we have had a substandard, antiquated sewerage infrastructure and now today with the sod turning, we are leading the way through Irish Water, through government and through Clare County Council in terms of providing 21st century infrastructure here. I think its import for the tourism in the area but also all the fish and the life that’s out there to know that there will be properly and effectively treated sewerage here in Liscannor and surrounding areas.”
In Kilfenora and Kilrush, the works will also be carried out by the EPS Group and will include the decommissioning of the current Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kilfenora and the construction of a new plant that will serve the population equivalent of 330. In Kilrush, the plant will be significantly larger and will cater for a population equivalent of 8,500.
Irish Water continues to work with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services. Irish Water would like to remind people to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing.
This is a red-letter day for the Banner County, one that marks a new beginning for the communities and their surrounding areas.