Good News!
Work has now commenced on the major overhall of the waste water treatment works at Loughinisland. The removal of the broken shaft and discs of the RBC have been removed ahead of schedule awaiting instalation of the new components. We continue to engage pro-actively with Northern Ireland Water, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Margaret Ritchie MP during this process and for the forseeable future and will keep our membership abreast of all developments in a timely way.
Update: 10/09/15
The refurbishment of the Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) within the main body of the water treatment works will be completed on Thursday 11th September with planned testing to be carried out on Friday 12th September. The RBC will take some time to establish itself once fully operational given the nature of the specific treatment it offers; additional works remain on-going on the site. Once the treatment works have been signed off, we will meet with the local and area site managers to get a fuller picture and will keep our membership abreast of all current and future developments.
Update: 21/10/15
The refurbishment of the Rotating Biological Contactor has now been completed and is in the process of being tested and establishing a biofilm prior to the contractors handing it over to NIW mid-end November 2015. The inlet service screen, clarifier screen, upgrade of final effluent line and a screening chute have been completed. Work is on-going with the inlet works improvement and the installation of a new water main estimated to be completed by mid-November.
Update: 23/11/15
The Rotating Biological Contactor is currently establishing a biofilm and is expected to be signed off by the contractors with the next couple of weeks. The effluent discharge results from the past 6 weeks are especially encouraging and significantly lower than what we had experienced prior to and during the refurbishment of the site. Directors will be invited onto the site once the contractors have finished and we will keep you updated as and when we know more.
Update: 22/12/15
NIW invited us to inspect the Loughinisland WwTW yesterday following the handover from the contractor. The new RBC is functioning as commissioned and the latest effluent discharge results sent to us are excellent. Some of the additional modifications to the plant will be helpful though storm waters may continue to complicate the picture. DDAALTD remain committed to our on-going engagement with both NIW and NIEA to proactively manage our interests and prevent future pollution incidents.
