Buncrana’s wastewater scheme upgrade has met ‘challenging ground conditions’

 “Challenging ground conditions” on Buncrana’s Cockhill Road have led to two crews being deployed to ensure the works to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in Buncrana works are completed as quickly as possible.

The work, which is part of a  €31m project to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in Buncrana, Ballybofey and Stranorlar, is at the midway point,  Uisce Éireann has said. 

The project is aimed at reducing the risk of sewer flooding and addressing non-compliant sewer overflows into Lough Swilly.

In an update on the project, Uisce Éireann said “considerable progress” is being made and 7.5km of pipeline has been constructed across key locations in town including Cahir O'Doherty Avenue, Castle Avenue, Marion Park, and Westbrook.

The utility said that due to “challenging ground conditions” on Cockhill Road, open trench pipe laying techniques are being used and two crews have been deployed to ensure the works are completed as quickly and as safely as possible.

The provision of stormwater storage at both the Buncrana wastewater treatment plant and the Westbrook pumping station is underway and is due for completion in the winter.

Upgrades to the existing pumping stations at Westbrook, Derry Road, Ludden, Earlsfort, and the pier are scheduled to commence during the summer. 

The decommissioning of the existing storm overflow at Castle Ave has been completed and the project will also include the decommissioning of the existing storm overflow at Railway Road.

Speaking about the project, Colm Claffey, Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann said:  “We understand that this type of work is disruptive to the local community, and we want to thank them for their patience while we work to deliver this essential project as quickly and safely as possible.”