We’re delighted to have reached this significant milestone on the Lee Road Water Treatment Plant (WTP) project. Water is now being taken into supply by Irish Water after successful pre-commissioning and test periods. Murphy International Ltd will operate the plant for a 12-month period while completing finishing works and carrying out demolition of some redundant plant components. Following the 12-month operate and maintain period, the plant will transfer back to Irish Water and Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí - Cork City Council.
The new plant will supply potable water to Cork City’s three–level distribution network via the existing Lee Road Pump Station. From there the network will be supplied directly via the Western Trunkmain, a newly configured rising main system, and the Shanakiel Rising main project. The new design and contract arrangements allows for flexible and enhanced supply to Cork City centre and its suburbs. The plant is currently sized to deliver 40MLD per day, but has components sized for ultimate modular expansion to 80 MLD.
The new design has incorporated lessons learned from the exceptional River Lee Flood event in November 2009, which resulted in loss of production for over one week with damage to equipment and contamination of the supply.
Our team at J. B. Barry and Partners Limited has been involved in this project from the early 2000’s, initially as lead consultants to Cork City Council and then to Irish Water from 2015. During this time, we have acted as Employer’s Representative preparing concept and feasibility studies, design engineering, preparing associated studies and impact assessments, supporting consultations and stakeholder management, preparing consents and permission applications and providing support and oversight to procurement and contract management.
9 August 2022