By rosebell
As one of Uisce Éireann largest projects to date, the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme’s value is €114m and it involved the construction of new pumping stations at Golden Island and Coosan West, and almost 3km of new large trunk sewers, including tunnelled crossings under the River Shannon using trenchless technology.
Following completion of the tunneling process, reinstatement works are under way across the County Westmeath town.
Completing the pumping station shaft construction works at Golden Island, mechanical and electrical installations advancing. Additionally, the control building for the pumping station is substantially complete, with only final fit-out works remaining.
With the aim of providing enhanced wastewater management capacity for the area, the Coosan West Pumping Station is also now in operation.
The scheduled date for completion of this project is the current year, with flows set to be turned into the new sewer network by October. The existing under-performing pumping stations and pipework will be decommissioned. Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) says combined sewer overflows have been eliminated at six locations along the River Shannon and replaced by two new stormwater overflows designed to meet current licensing standards, improving water quality, and protecting the environment.
At various locations around Athlone, cross-connection works between the existing and the new network are ongoing.
According to Uisce Éireann portfolio manager Eunan Canavan: “I am grateful to the community for their continued patience as the project reached the final stages.The Athlone Main Drainage Scheme will significantly improve the capacity and resilience of the wastewater infrastructure, ensuring Athlone is well prepared for future growth and development, while also reducing the risk of sewer flooding, improving the water quality in the River Shannon and supporting a cleaner, healthier environment.”
