Cork County Council and Irish Water marked a major milestone in the €117M Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project as the Shanbally Wastewater Treatment Plant commenced operations.

Cork Lower Harbour is world-renowned for its rich maritime history and a proud industrial tradition. It also supports employment, fosters tourism and provides many opportunities for water-based activities.

The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project is important in terms of protecting the environment, facilitating economic development and providing for a growing population. The wastewater treatment plant was required by both European and National legislation to ensure that the health and integrity of the environment and water quality were all improved in accordance with the European Union’s Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

The new wastewater treatment plant is already ensuring that 50% of the raw sewage previously discharging into the lower harbour is treated and returned safely to the sea.

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney TD, commented:

“This project is hugely important to improving the quality of water in Cork Lower Harbour. This will bring huge benefits to communities right across the harbour as we seek to promote this fantastic amenity at the heart of our city for visitors and residents alike. It is shocking that raw sewage has been discharged for so many years directly to the harbour, but we are now addressing this problem with an investment in wastewater infrastructure that will facilitate future growth and development and support tourism across the region.

I am delighted to see that so much progress has already been made and that the wastewater treatment plant at Shanbally is now operational. We’ve halved the level of raw sewage flowing directly into the harbour and we will continue to see the benefits as more areas are connected to the new treatment plant over the coming years. This investment by Irish Water highlights the need for a national utility with the expertise and funding to address the deficits in water and wastewater infrastructure throughout the State.”

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