Eco-friendly plant plan in Milltownpass
Uisce Éireann have approached the planning department of Westmeath County Council to undertake an eco-friendly wastewater treatment system in a Milltownpass estate.
The water utility company intends to upgrade the Millview Wastewater Treatment Plan at the Millview Housing Estate, Corcloon Townland, Westmeath.
This is a Constructed Wetland (CW), a process that is an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to treat wastewater.
It results in reduced operational and maintenance costs, a positive impact on biodiversity, while also reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
The eco-friendly, engineered system uses plants, soil, and microorganisms in a basin to naturally treat wastewater from a septic tank, mimicking nature for low-cost, sustainable purification.
It’s proposed to upgrade Millview Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to facilitate future growth in the agglomeration and achieve higher discharge standards compatible with the Wastewater Discharge Authorisation (WWDA) Certificate of Authorisation.
The application states that the existing Millview WWTP treatment plant is overloaded, and historic flow monitoring data indicates that it has discharged poor quality effluent into the Milltown River.
The development will consist of the provision of Constructed Wetland (CW) type Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) for the treatment of wastewater from the Millview Housing Estate comprising a septic tank and three CW ponds.
They will decommission the existing Millview WWTP, provision of a new terminal Wastewater Pumping Station (WWPS) and storm water management at the site adjacent to the existing Millview WWTP and the construction of maintenance road surrounding the CW ponds and connecting the existing and proposed WWTPs. The utility company also intends to install a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) array.
The plans cover all ancillary works associated with the development including the associated pipework, fencing, and landscaping.
A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application.
This application is seeking a 10-year permission for the proposed project.
Uisce Éireann made the approach earlier this month and the planners have indicated that a decision could be made by February 19 next.