Major North Mayo water project takes step forward
Irish Water, winterproofing taps
Uisce Éireann will submit a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála for the proposed Ballina and Lough Talt Water Supply Zone Upgrade, which will see a major upgrade of Ballina’s ageing water network.
Following a pre-consultation application process, An Coimisiún Pleanála determined that the project, which spans both Mayo and Sligo, is considered strategically important and therefore a planning application can be made to Pleanála directly, bypassing a local authority planning application.
As part of the project, it is proposed that the existing intake structure and raw water pump station at Wherrew will be upgraded. The pipeline connecting Wherrew to Lisglennon pump station will be retained with no works envisioned.
The existing pumps at Lisglennon station will be upgraded while a new pipeline is proposed from the pump station to Lisglennon Water Treatment Plant, where additional treatment capacity and treated water storage will be provided.
A proposed new pipeline from the Lisglennon site to the Lough Talt Water Treatment Plant is included. Treated water will gravitate from the Lisglennon plant to Ballina and onwards towards Bonniconlon where it will then be pumped to Lough Talt.
There is a proposed new booster pump station in Bonniconlon in addition to a new treated water reservoir, which will improve water storage capacity in the area.
Uisce Eireann have said the capacity provided will support future growth in the region, while ending water abstraction from Lough Talt will allow natural lake levels to be restored and deliver significant ecological benefits for local habitats and wildlife.
