Dáil Question Regarding Upgrade of Wastewater Treatment Plant at Osberstown

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government taking into consideration the substantial population increase in County Kildare since 1996, at what stage are the planned works to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; when is work likely to commence on this upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Anthony Lawlor.

For ORAL answer on Thursday, 8th March, 2012.

Ref No: 13095/12

Three contracts of the Upper Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme, Phase 3 are included in my Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 €“ 2012 as contracts to start within the lifetime of the Programme. The Osberstown Wastewater Treatment Plant contract, with an estimated cost of €22 million, is one of these contracts. Under this contract Kildare County Council propose to expand and upgrade the existing Osberstown Waste Water Treatment Plant from 80,000 population equivalent to 130,000 population equivalent.

Kildare County Council has submitted Contract Documents for this contract to my Department and these are under examination at present. Following consultation with the Council, additional information is to be submitted to enable my Department finalise its examination of the documents. It is anticipated that, following a tender procedure to be conducted later this year, work on this contract will commence during 2013.

Contract Documents for two further contracts of the Upper Liffey Valley Sewerage Scheme, Contracts No. 2A and 2B, comprising the expansion and upgrade of the sewer network and pumping stations, are being prepared by Kildare County Council for submission to my Department for approval.