Presentation to Environment and Engineering Strategic Policy Committee23/9/2010

Extension to Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Works.

Dublin Drainage Network

Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Works Extension

• Operational phase of current plant since 2005.

• Plant operating above design capacity.

• 2005 Greater Dublin Strategic Design Study.– “The Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Works should be extended

to its ultimate capacity”

• 2008 appointment of CDM as Client’s Consultant for the Extension to the Plant.

Project Status

• Design Review Reports issued to DEHLG and EPA

• EIS Scoping Document 23/7/2010– Scheduled for issue to An Bord Pleanála March

2011

• EPA Operating Licence issued on 27/7/ 2010

• Marine Site Investigations Programme underway.

Design Review Report

• Current Plant overloaded• Urban Wastewater Directive laid down stringent standards for

nitrogen and phosphorous for continued discharge to the estuary.

• Treatment alternatives examined.• Pending the EIS the preferred option would be continued

secondary treatment and the construction of an alternative discharge point between 7.5 and 10 kilometres offshore

• Upon completion of the Extension, all available open space used and Works will have reached its maximum achievable capacity.

Recommended Plan

• Extend the capacity of the plant• Provide secondary level treatment to

comply with EU standards• Discharge through an outfall extension• Increase sludge capacity consistent with

ultimate pollutant loadings• Complete the Odour Control Programme.

Recommended Plan

Environmental Impact Assessment

• Scoping Report issued to statutory and additional consultees.

• Report outlines the information to be included in the EIS

– Water Quality– Flora and Fauna– Human Beings– Traffic– Soil and Geology– Air and Climatic factors– Noise and Vibration– Landscape and Visual– Archaeology and Cultural Heritage– Material assets

• Scheduled for issue to an Bord Pleanála March 2011

EPA Licence

• Ringsend WWTW to be upgraded• Combined sewer overflows• Discharge standards• Monitoring• Annual Environmental Returns• 2015 timeline

Marine Site Investigations

• Extensive geophysical surveys• Geology of the Bay• Drilling of Bay• Route selection• Extensive information will be gathered including:

• marine sediment, • sub bed overburden geology, • bedrock geology and any anomalies that may be

present in the bay.