Slane water supply has ‘insufficient capacity’ to meet future demands

ANN CASEY
The Slane water supply has insufficient capacity to meet future demands of the area with only six hours storage capacity at the existing Beauparc Reservoir.      
Irish Water is planning to construct a new storage reservoir and has submitted a Compulsory Purchase Order to An Bord Pleanála to acquire the necessary lands.
The water company has pointed out that the Slane Water Supply Zone will not be able to meet future demands - there is currently 100m3 of treated water storage capacity at the Beauparc reservoir, but  this is in poor condition, and provides less than six hours of storage capacity.

“This is an important project to safeguard the water supply to customers in Slane and the surrounding areas. By upgrading the storage capacity on the Slane Water Supply, we will improve drinking water security for the area. Irish Water will continue to update the communities in the area on the progress of this essential water infrastructure investment,” said Alan Hackett of Irish Water.
Working with Meath County Council, Irish Water is preparing to progress plans to construct a new treated water storage reservoir which will benefit over 3,250 customers. This project will safeguard the water supply to homes and businesses in the area and will ensure that there is sufficient storage capacity to meet future increased demands.

A Compulsory Purchase Order has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála to acquire the necessary lands to carry out these upgrades. Consultations had been ongoing with landowners identified on the proposed scheme but Irish Water was unable to acquire the required lands on a voluntary basis.
The upgrade works will consist of the construction of a new 400m3 storage reservoir to provide 24hr storage capacity for the area, the construction of a pump station kiosk and dechlorination chamber, and the decommissioning and demolition of the existing concrete storage tank on site.
“All works will be undertaken in a way to minimise any disruption to customers on the Slane Water Supply Scheme. Works are not expected to result in any road closures or traffic disruption during construction,” Mr Hackett said.

Meanwhile Irish Water is continuing essential upgrade works at the Staleen Water Treatment Plant at Donore, which will be completed by the end of this year. The upgraded water treatment plant will ensure that the water supply is removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Remedial Action List (RAL) and will safeguard the water supply to homes and businesses.