Works to replace over 4 kilometres of troublesome water mains in the Naran, Portnoo, Dungloe and Lettermacaward areas of Donegal are complete following an investment of over €970,000 by Irish Water.
Customers supplied by the Portnoo Water Supply are now enjoying a better quality and more secure supply of water following this investment which was completed by JO Hearty Ltd.
The Portnoo Water Supply is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Remedial Action List (RAL) for high levels of THMs and these works will reduce the risk posed by THMs and will ultimately contribute to the removal of this scheme from the RAL subject to approval by the EPA.
The works included the installation and commissioning of over 4km of water main in the Naran and Portnoo, Dungloe and Lettermacaward areas of Donegal. Three kilometres of mains were replaced in Naran and Portnoo, 350m in Quay Road, Dungloe and 1km in Lettermacaward.
Irish Water has put in place the first national THM plan and a prioritised programme of investment to address all inadequacies in drinking water parameters including THMs. By 2021 the utility plans to reduce the number of schemes on the RAL to zero with an investment of €327 million in upgrading water supplies at risk from THMs.
THMs, or trihalomethanes are chemicals formed by the reaction of naturally occurring dissolved organic material with chlorine which is used for disinfection in order to protect against pathogenic bacteria.
Speaking about the project Irish Water’s Capital Programme Lead John McElwaine said: “Irish Water is working in partnership with Donegal County Council to continually improve drinking water quality throughout the county. This particular project in Portnoo will greatly enhance the quality of water supplied to people served by the Portnoo Water Supply.”
This project forms part of Irish Water’s investment plan. Works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Irish Water’s Business Plan. Delivery of the business plan will involve a €5.5 billion investment in capital spending on drinking water and wastewater quality and capacity and new infrastructure up to 2021. This plan includes an investment in leakage reduction and water quality initiatives, called the Leakage Reduction Programme, which will see an investment of €512 million during the period to 2021. These works are vital to ensuring a clean, safe and reliable public water supply to support our growing population and economy.
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