Project Outline

This design, build and operate (DBO) project saw Fingal County Council engage Murphy to deliver new wastewater network and treatment infrastructure to serve the towns of Portrane, Donabate, Rush, Lusk and their environs. This project included:

• 65,000 PE wastewater treatment plant.
• Preliminary treatment, secondary (CASS^TM SBR basins) treatment and UV disinfection of final effluent.
• Sludge thickening and dewatering including sludge import reception facility.
• Control and communication system linking the treatment plant and pumping stations as well as interfacing with the client’s central telemetry system.
• Network pumping stations at Portrane, Donabate and Whitestown.
• Storm attenuation tank at Whitestown.
• Gravity sewers and rising mains serving the catchment area.
• 1km marine outfall pipeline.
• Decommissioning and demolition of obsolete infrastructure.

Key Challenges

Murphy delivered an innovative design solution to meet stringent odour limits on this project with all process units enclosed and subject to forced ventilation with two stage odour neutralisation.

Project Delivery & Innovations

Some key aspects of project delivery and innovations included:

• All treatment infrastructure is enclosed with forced ventilation to odour treatment delivering consistently excellent results with respect to the impact of the plant on the surrounding environment.
• Trenchless construction used in the construction of the section of the rising main from Whitestown Pumping Station to the treatment works underneath the Rogerstown Estuary Special Area of Conservation.

Key Facts

• This project was shortlisted for Engineers Ireland Project of the Year 2012 in recognition of its design innovation and delivery excellence.
• Murphy will continue to operate and maintain this plant for Irish Water until 2032.