The Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Works in Dublin is currently operating above its design capacity. Plans are underway to extend the plant to increase its capacity and comply with EU water quality standards. The recommended plan is to extend treatment capacity, provide secondary level treatment, discharge through an offshore outfall extension, and increase sludge handling capacity. Extensive environmental impact assessments and marine site investigations are being conducted to examine options and inform authorities for approval of the extension project.

1. Extension to Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Works.Presentation to Environment and Engineering Strategic Policy Committee23/9/2010

2. Dublin Drainage Network

3. Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Works ExtensionOperational 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.

4. Project StatusDesign Review Reports issued to DEHLG and EPAEIS Scoping Document 23/7/2010Scheduled for issue to An Bord Pleanála March 2011EPA Operating Licence issued on 27/7/ 2010Marine Site Investigations Programme underway.

5. Design Review ReportCurrent Plant overloadedUrban 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 kilometresoffshoreUpon completion of the Extension, all available open space used and Works will have reached its maximum achievable capacity.

6. Recommended PlanExtend the capacity of the plantProvide secondary level treatment to comply with EU standardsDischarge through an outfall extensionIncrease sludge capacity consistent with ultimate pollutant loadingsComplete the Odour Control Programme.

7. Recommended Plan

8. Environmental Impact AssessmentScoping Report issued to statutory and additional consultees.Report outlines the information to be included in the EISWater Quality Flora and FaunaHuman BeingsTrafficSoil and GeologyAir and Climatic factorsNoise and VibrationLandscape and VisualArchaeology and Cultural HeritageMaterial assetsScheduled for issue to an Bord Pleanála March 2011

9. EPA LicenceRingsend WWTW to be upgradedCombined sewer overflowsDischarge standardsMonitoringAnnual Environmental Returns2015 timeline

10. Marine Site InvestigationsExtensive geophysical surveysGeology of the BayDrilling of BayRoute selectionExtensive information will be gathered including: marine sediment, sub bed overburden geology, bedrock geology and any anomalies that may be present in the bay.