Irish Water has plans for a trial water treatment system in Belturbet in Cavan.
It would use reed beds, which would see a reduction in the use of chemicals in the water treatment process.
Irish Water has applied for planning permission for six sludge drying reed beds at the waste water treatment plant in Belturbet.
It says the system "is based on a natural treatment process and could provide for sustainable long term management of water treatment residuals".
It says the planned development is part of a research pilot project looking at how waste from the treatment of drinking water can be managed sustainably.
It hopes to investigate if reed beds, consisting of layers of gravel and sand planted with reeds, will be effective in separating solids from water treatment residuals.
If planning permission is approved for the project by Cavan County Council, Irish Water says it expects construction to take six months and research will be complete in three years.
A decision on the development is expected in early March.
Statement from Irish Water
In January 2021 Irish Water submitted a planning application to Cavan County Council seeking permission to construct a research pilot project at Belturbet Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is intended that the research project will look at how Irish Water can improve ways in which residual materials arising from producing drinking water can be managed. Irish Water plans to investigate if reed beds consisting of layers of gravel and sand planted with reeds will be effective in separating solids from water treatment residuals.
The Reed Beds process is based on a natural treatment process and could provide for sustainable long term management of water treatment residuals. Other beneficial characteristics of this process are:
- It would be a much more costs effective way to manage and dewater these residuals, compared with current costly methods,
- It would provide a habitat that will support a wide range of biodiversity,
- The reed beds would act as natural carbon sequester, removing carbon from the atmosphere,
- The use of reed beds would reduce the need for chemicals within the treatment process,
- The use of reed beds could produce a cleaner filtrate material than conventional systems.
Subject to planning permission, it is expected that the pilot reed beds would be constructed within 6 months and the research will take approximately three years to complete. Irish Water will be happy to provide further updates one the project proceeds.
