Dublin Corporation has been given the green light to begin constructing a £200 million wastewater treatment plant to tackle the capital's sewage disposal needs and clean up Dublin Bay.
The Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant will receive sewage from north Dublin via a submarine pipeline running across Dublin Bay.
It forms the backbone of a £300m waste-water plan involving a new interceptor sewer running between Finglas and a pumping station at Baldoyle, from where sewage will be sent to Ringsend for treatment. The cost of the project will be met by a combination of Exchequer and EU Cohesion funds.
Announcing approval for the start of construction work yesterday, the Taoiseach said it would resolve the problem of sewage disposal which "has been a major headache in the capital for many years".
Mr Ahern said the interceptor sewer would also free up land for much-needed housing and greatly improve the potential for industrial development. In addition, it would eliminate pollution of the Finglas, Mayne and Santry rivers.
He added: "I have asked that all the elements of the project be advanced as a matter of urgency. Dublin Bay has been a fantastic recreational amenity for generations of Dubliners and I look forward to traditional swimming areas like Dollymount gaining the coveted Blue Flag."
The contract for the plant was won by the International ABA Consortium representing Ascon Ltd, Black and Veatch (UK) Ltd, and Anglian Water International.
In a departure from the norm, the consortium will operate the plant for the first 20 years.
Traditionally, Dublin Corporation would engage consultant engineers to design a facility and then take over the operation of it after contractors had completed construction. But under a new scheme, which was applied for the first time in the case of the Ringsend plant, contractors were invited to submit proposals for design, construction and operation with the objective of maximising private sector input.
