Ratoath reservoir works on track to start before the end of the year
The contract for the contruction of the long awaited new reservoir at Windmill Hill is expected to be awarded by the end of September with works due to start shortly afterwards following the granting of planning permission for the development.
An extension to the Windmill Hill Reservoir together with replacement of 7km problematic trunk water mains that are prone to bursts, is needed to improve the security of supply to Ratoath and the surroundings areas which have experienced numerous water outages over the past two years in particular.
In welcoming the granting of planning permission for the development, Irish Water said it will allow for a substantial increase in treated water storage capacity at Windmill Hill Reservoir and that the completion of the project is vitally important to improving the water supply security for residents and businesses in Ratoath and Ashbourne, facilitating economic development, and providing for a growing population.
The old water mains will be replaced by high density, state-of-the-art polyethylene (plastic) pipes which will also address low water pressure particularly in Ratoath, encountered during periods of peak demand.
Irish Water also plans to construct an additional large storage reservoir at Windmill Hill. This additional infrastructure will mitigate the impact of any of the frequent bursts in the existing upstream watermain that supplies Windmill Hill Reservoir from Staleen Water Treatment Plant located near Donore.
The new proposed additional reservoir will be built adjacent to the existing reservoir at Windmill Hill which is located between Curragha and Kilmoon Cross. The replacement watermain will run parallel to the existing watermain along the L5003 and the R155.
Irish Water says it is now in the process of concluding the tender process for the planned works and is on track to award the construction contract in the third quarter of this year, with works to commence shortly thereafter.
William McKnight, Regional Delivery Lead at Irish Water said: “We welcome the decision by Meath County Council to grant permission for the construction of a 4.7 million litre treated water storage reservoir at Windmill Hill. Once completed the project will reinforce the water supply security and resilience for homes and businesses in Ratoath and Ashbourne and will empower future growth for Southeast Meath.”