Project Summary
The Owenteskna Water Treatment Plant project involves the design, construction, and operation of a new greenfield water treatment facility, delivering a treated water output capacity of 2,000 m³/day. The scheme sources raw water from Lough Na Lughraman in Donegal and includes a one-year operational service period. The contract also encompasses associated pipeline works and public road improvements.
Project Description
The project comprised a full design-build contract for a water treatment plant capable of delivering 100 m³/hour over 20 hours daily. The works included intake upgrades at Lough Na Lughraman with new screening and solar-powered lake level monitoring, access road improvements, fencing, and telemetry. The plant incorporates a series of treatment processes: raw water flocculation with pH adjustment, dissolved air flotation clarification, rapid gravity filtration, UV and chlorination disinfection, fluoridation, and treated water pH correction. The plant features automatic control systems linked to SCADA for remote monitoring and operation.
Scope of Works
The works included:
- Design and construction of the Owenteskna WTP with a 2,000 m³/day capacity.
- Construction of associated pipeline infrastructure and public road improvements.
- Upgrade of Lough Na Lughraman intake works, including intake screen and fencing.
- Installation of solar-powered lake level monitoring with GSM telemetry.
- Full design documentation, surveys, investigations, and approval processes.
- Project Supervisor Design Stage and Construction Stage duties.
- Installation of unit operations including flocculation tanks, DAF tanks, rapid gravity filters, UV disinfection units, chemical dosing systems, treated water reservoir, and sludge handling facilities.
- Implementation of fully automatic plant control via PLC and integration with SCADA, including mobile alerts and remote access for operators.
Technical Highlights
- Use of dissolved air flotation (DAF) for enhanced clarification prior to filtration.
- Dual disinfection system combining UV reactors with chlorine dosing controlled by residual monitors.
- Automated coagulation, clarification, filtration, and disinfection processes for optimised water treatment.
- Advanced SCADA system allowing full plant visualisation, mobile alerts, and remote VPN access.
- Integration of chemical dosing systems for fluoridation, pH correction, and disinfection.
- Comprehensive sludge settlement, thickening, and storage system.
Added Values
- Collaboration with Donegal County Council ensured the plant design met local operational and regulatory requirements.
- Fully automated control systems reduced operator intervention and increased plant reliability.
- Solar-powered telemetry provided sustainable and independent lake level monitoring.
- Treatment quality exceeds Blue Flag criteria and produces water better than swimming pool standards.
- Robust sludge handling facilities minimise environmental impact and maintenance requirements.
Environmental, Safety or Community Measures
- Installation of fencing and access road upgrades at Lough Na Lughraman improved site security and minimised environmental disturbance.
- Solar-powered lake level monitoring reduced energy use and reliance on external power sources.
- Treatment processes designed to provide high-quality potable water free from microbial contaminants, enhancing community health.
- Sludge treatment and storage systems implemented to prevent contamination and promote environmental safety.
- Continuous communication and collaboration with local stakeholders throughout the project ensured transparency and minimised community disruption.
To learn more about Coffey’s work in water and wastewater management, or to discuss future opportunities, please contact us at 091 844356 or info@coffeygroup.com.
