A planning application is expected to be lodged to Donegal County Council in the coming weeks for the construction of a new Sewerage Scheme for Ramelton, Milford and Rathmullan.
Irish Water is working to stop untreated wastewater being discharged into Leannan Estuary, Lough Swilly and Maggy’s Burn.
The new wastewater treatment plant would be built at Tirroddy to serve a population equivalent of approximately 5,500. It is hoped that cleaner local water will contribute towards restoring the Blue Flag status of Rathmullan Beach.
The project also involves the decommissioning of the current underperforming plant in Milford, construction of a new pumping station at Milford and rising main to bring wastewater to the new plant. The construction of two pumping stations at Ramelton and Rathmullan will also be required, along with a rising mains that will transfer wastewater to the new plant. Decommissioning of two septic tanks in Rathmullan will also be undertaken. Finally construction of a new outfall pipe will also be necessary, which will facilitate the safe discharge of treated wastewater into Leannan Estuary.
Irish Water representative Patrick Greene said: ”The Ramelton, Milford and Rathmullan Sewerage Scheme will remove the risk to water quality in the downstream catchment of Lough Fern and the Leannan Estuary. The project will also remove the risk to the protected areas within Lough Swilly, including the special areas of conservation, special protection area, shellfish waters and designated bathing waters, including Rathmullan Beach. Having cleaner water will also enhance the areas’ amenity value, particularly in Rathmullan which will contribute towards restoring the Blue Flag status of Rathmullan Beach. The project will improve water quality and potentially salmon spawning in Maggy’s Burn which is a designated Salmonid Water.”
