Project Outline

The first design, build and operate (DBO) project delivered by the company, Wexford Main Drainage saw Murphy deliver a new 30,000 PE capacity wastewater treatment plant to serve the town of Wexford and its environs in 2004. The plant incorporates an 80,000 PE sludge processing facility with solid and liquid sludge import acceptance facilities which allows it to serve as a sludge hub for the region.

In 2008 Murphy delivered an expansion of the plant to 45,000 with the addition of additional SBR basins and expansion of the UV disinfection plant

This project included:

• Preliminary treatment.
• Secondary treatment (ICEAS SBR basins).
• UV disinfection of final effluent.
• Sludge thickening.
• Sludge dewatering.
• Liquid and sludge cake import acceptance facility.
• Thermal sludge drying plant.
• 2km inlet pipeline.
• 2km marine outfall pipeline.

Key Challenges

This project marked a milestone for the company as it was the first design, build and operate (DBO) project we delivered after public procurement policy shifted towards this form of procurement.

Project Delivery & Innovations

• This was the first project where Murphy used SBR basins instead of a traditional activated sludge plant.

Key Facts 

• This project ended the practice of untreated raw untreated sewage being discharged into Wexford Harbour.
• Murphy have been operating this plant since live commissioning commenced in 2003.