Castletown Group Water Scheme - Sligo County Council

North West and South East Sligo
Group Water Scheme DBO projects
officially opened by
Mr Dick Roche, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
On 2oth July, 2006
In the presence of the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Jim McGarry

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Sligo County Council can legitmately claim to have one of the most progressive rural
water programme in the country, and the visit of Minister Roche today is a fitting
culmination to the excellent work being delivered right across our county. While the
various agencies played a hugely significant role, pride of place must go to the
various group scheme committees - this is really their day. They have been to the
forefront of this programme, they have worked tirelessly over the last number of
years and they deserve great credit for their efforts.
Councillor Jim McGarry
Cathaoirleach, Sligo County Council
A message from
the Cathaoirleach, Sligo County Council
A message from
the Chairman County Sligo Rural Water Monitoring Committee
As chairman of the County Sligo Rural Monitoring Committee, I am delighted that
this project has come to fruition, and it is a special day for the many people
associated with our group scheme programme.
When Sligo County Council embarked on its Rural Water Programme in 1997, it
received an allocation of £100,000 for that year. By 2005 this figure had grown to
¤7 million, a reflection of the excellent work being carried out in County Sligo on
this programme.
There is an excellant working relationship between the various group schemes, Sligo
County Council, The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government and The National Federation of Group Water Schemes. We are all
working towards a common objective - the delivery of a good quality water supply
which meets the required EU drinking water standards.
Councillor Gerry Murray
Chairman County Sligo Rural Water Monitoring Committee
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects

The provision of infrastructure and services to rural communities in Sligo is a key
role of Sligo County Council. Central to that is the provision of water. The objective
of Sligo County Council is to provide all communities with access to the best quality
water. The Rural Water Programme provides one means to achieve this.
For Sligo County Council this programme contributes to the strengthening of rural
communities and supports the creation of progressive partnerships. This
partnership approach ensures that rural communities can contribute to the
development of their own areas and participate in maintaining the quality of life
and sense of community which make rural communities within Sligo attractive
places in which to live and work.
Sligo County Council is pleased to be working with rural communities to provide
this important resource.
Hubert Kearns
County Manager
A message from
the County Manager, Sligo County Council
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects page 2

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North West and South East Sligo
Group Water Scheme DBO projectsth July, 2006
In the presence of the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Jim McGarry
Sligo County Council, the National Federation of Group Water Schemes,
the Group Water Scheme Sector and the Department of the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government have been working in
partnership since responsibility for the Rural Water Programme was
devolved to local authorities in 1997. The partnership is operated
through the County Sligo Rural Water Committee where a number of
projects have been delivered under the various measures which were
introduced as part of that programme, e.g. group scheme
construction/upgrading, takeover and upgrading of group water
schemes, small water and sewerage schemes.
The Drinking Water Regulations introduced in December 2000 brought all group
schemes serving 50 persons or more within the remit of the Drinking Water
Directive. Environmental Protection Agency reports indicated that water quality on
some of the private group water schemes did not comply with the standards for
drinking water.
It was decided that the best method of dealing with the issue was to adopt the
strategy which had been agreed at national level – bundling of group schemes into
two Design Build Operate (DBO) projects involving the provision of eleven treatment
plants and the operation of the plants for a period of 20 years. The bundles were
formed on a strategic location basis – the South East and North West Bundles.
Jennings O’Donovan & Partners/J.B. Barry & Partners were engaged as Client’s
Representative for the South East Bundle and T.J. O’Connor & Associates/DHV Water
were engaged for the North West Bundle.
Agreements to participate in the projects were signed by the group schemes in
2003. Tenders for the projects were sought in 2004 and the successful contractor for
both bundles was Treatment Systems Services Limited.
A Steering Group was established to co-ordinate the work with representatives from
Sligo County Council, The Federation of Group Water Supplies, Group Schemes, the
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Client’s
Representatives and the National Project Manager. Regular meetings, were held to
ensure that any delays or concerns which arose could be discussed and resolved.
The Design/Build Contracts were signed for both projects in April, 2005 and the
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects

Operation and Maintenance Contracts were signed in July, 2005.
The primary task involved the construction of a number of water treatment plants
on existing schemes to correct the water quality and ensure the supplies would
meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Regulations, SI 439 of 2000.
Issues in relation to land acquisition and planning for the treatment plants were
addressed and Part VIII sanction of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001
(S.I. 600 of 2001) was obtained for each facility.
The treatment buildings are equipped with telemetry and each group will be issued
with a laptop computer to allow for easy access to information on the management
of the scheme.
The contracts have been a success and have been brought on stream on time and
within budget.
The treatment plants will provide treated water to over 2,000 houses, a number of
schools, churches, community facilities, commercial properties and agricultural
activity.
A tremendous amount of work has been done by the group scheme personnel
involved in the various group schemes. It should be borne in mind that a number of
these schemes have been in operation for up to 30 years and committee members
have worked on a voluntary basis to provide water to people in their areas over the
years. They have also worked tirelessly to upgrade their schemes and collect the
necessary local contributions. The treatment plants could not have been provided
without the amount of determination and dedication which they have shown. They
are to be complimented on the pride they show in the very beautiful areas in which
they live and their determination to ensure that there is an adequate supply of
water available to everyone. The official openings being held here today are in
recognition of the huge contribution which they have made.
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects page 4

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South East Bundle in Partnership with
Geevagh/Highwood Group Water Supply Limited
Keash Farmers Co-Operative Group Water Scheme
Culfadda Group Water Scheme Co-Operative Society Limited
Corrick Group Water Scheme Society Limited
Castlebaldwin Group Water Scheme Limited
Five group schemes were bundled together to provide a comprehensive strategy for
the implementation of the works. The contract was signed in April 2005. The total
construction costs amounted to ¤2.936 million.
Corrick Group Water Scheme
The Corrick Group Water Scheme is supplied from a
mountain source on the southern slope of Bricklieve
Mountain with supplementary water available from
Lough Arrow in periods of low flow by means of a
pumping station. In order to comply with the drinking
water regulations it was decided to provide for a new
filtration system in order to ensure that the supply met
Corrick GWS treatment works.
the required standards at all times. The filtered water is
disinfected before being made available for distribution
to Ballinafad and the surrounding areas. The treatment plant has a capacity of
141 m 3 per day.
Committee: Noel Fogarty (Chairman), Anne Candon (Secretary), Seamus Complisson (Treasurer), Mary Connolly,
John Healy, Austin Mulhern, Gerard Clarke, Padraig Coughlan, Pauline Hendron.
Keash Farmers Co-Operative Group
Water Scheme
The water supply for this scheme is provided from
Lough Labe. Water is pumped from the lake to the
treatment works site located a distance of 2 km away in
the townland of Treanmore on Keash Mountain. The
water quality from the lake is of the highest standard
requiring the need for only simple filtration. A new
Keash GWS treatment works.
circular concrete reservoir was constructed and a plant
room with associated services and equipment. Care was
taken to ensure that the reservoir and building were provided with screening to
help integrate the development at this highly scenic location. A random rubble
stone wall was constructed on the front elevation and soil was imported onto the
site and backed up onto the side walls of the reservoir. The contractor co-operated
with Duchas Heritage Service in order to minimise impact on flora and fauna. A
three phase power supply was taken to the scheme from Castlebaldwin .
Committee: Michael Reid (Chairman), Paddy Horan (Secretary) and Gerard Snee (Treasurer).
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects

Castlebaldwin GWS water intake on the
shore of Lough Arrow.
Castlebaldwin G.W.S.S. adsorption clarifier.
Castlebaldwin Group Water Scheme
Limited
The Castlebaldwin Group Water Supply Scheme
abstracts their water from Lough Arrow and had up
until now been unable to provide consistent water
quality standards to meet their members’
requirements. It proved necessary for the contractor
to provide a fully integrated treatment plant with the
need for addition of chemicals in order to treat
parameters such as colour, turbidity, iron and
manganese. A comprehensive treatment plant was
supplied and a treatment building was constructed to
house this equipment. Concerns in relation to the
impact the development might have on views from
the lake were addressed by providing random rubble
stone on the gable of the building. This plant can
deliver 483m 3/day
Committee: Joe Mullaney (Chairman), Gearoid O’Connor (Secretary), Frank Meehan and Noel Taheny (Joint
Treasurers), John Cawley, John J. Brennan, Pat Kearins, Maura O’Connor (Administrator), Tommy O’Dowd
(Maintenance)
Geevagh/Highwood Group Water Supply Limited
The largest scheme in the bundle is
Geevagh/Highwood, with a production demand of
628m 3 per day. Water is abstracted from Lough Arrow
with the same water consistency as Castlebaldwin, so
in order to meet the Drinking Water Regulations it
was necessary to provide a fully integrated water
treatment plant. The treatment plant is located at
Geevagh/Highwood treatment works
at Highwood: Work on the paving and
landscaping.
Highwood, Kilmactranny from where the water is
pumped forward to the main storage reservoir at
Moytirra. This site has been finished to a high
standard with fencing and landscaping in order to
minimise maintenance. Surface areas have been covered with a lining and gravel
stone providing a pleasant appearance to the site and ensuring that the site will
consistently provide an appealing look. Provision has been made to amalgamate the
Doongeela Group Water Scheme to this scheme.
Geevagh/Highwood Committee
Councillor Gerry Mullaney (Chairman), Tommy Bruen (Vice-Chairman), Seamus Donagher (Secretary), Francis
Taaffe and Joe McTiernan (Joint Treasurers), Jimmy Cullen (PRO), Padraig Tiernan, Michael McGoldrick, Sean
Heslin, Michael McDonagh, Tom Sweeney (Manager).
Doongeela Committee: Christy Gaffney (Chairman), Vincent Tighe (Secretary), Seamus Cawley and M.J.
Mulvanney (Treasurers).
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Culfadda Group Water Scheme Co-Operative Society Limited
Existing developments at Culfadda including existing
treatment works ensured minimum civil works had
to be provided in order to leave the plant suitable for
offer to the contractor for operational purposes.
Difficulties were experienced in the past because of
power supply interruption and it was decided to
provide a 3 phase generator on the site to ensure
consistency of plant operation in the event of power
loss. A comprehensive review of mechanical
equipment took place and the site has been
landscaped.
Committee Stephen Hannon (Chairman), John Higgins (Vice Chairman and Secretary), Sean Gallagher
(Manager), Eddie Doherty, Michael Harrison, Seamus O’Connor, James Queenan, Frank Casey, Patrick Feeney, Joe
Hannon, Cathal O’Gara
North West Bundle in Partnership with
Ballintrillick Group Water Supply Scheme
Beltra Group Water Scheme
Benbulbin Group Water Scheme
Drum East Group Water Scheme
Castletown Group Water Scheme.
Keelogyboy Group Water Supply Scheme
Six group schemes were bundled together in this case. The contract was signed in
April 2005. The total construction costs amounted to ¤2.545 million.
Ballintrillick Group Water Supply Scheme
The new plant will treat water
from the group scheme’s existing
sources located at the Horseshoe,
Truskmore, North Sligo. The
water is collected and treated by
pumping forward to a sand /
anthracite filter and then
disinfected. The treated water is
stored in a new concrete reservoir
tank supplying water on demand
into a distribution pipe network.
The treatment plant has a water
production capacity of 143m3/d. Culfadda Group Water Scheme during
construction works.
Committee: Johnny Duignan (Chairman), Edmund Kelly (Secretary), Rev. Noel Regan (Treasurer),
Pauric McGowan, Paddy Joe Connolly.
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects
Replacement of existing reservoir at Ballintrillick GWS.

Beltra Group Water Scheme
The new plant will treat water from the group
scheme’s existing source where water is abstracted
from an underground spring. The water is filtered
and disinfected using hypochlorite liquid chemical.
The treated water is stored in a new concrete
reservoir tank supplying water on demand into the
distribution pipe network. The treatment plant has a
water production capacity of 136m3/d. This proved to
be a difficult site for upgrading and all credit to the
Beltra GWS treatment works.
contractor for its present appearance.
Committee: Stanley Clarke (Chairman), Martin Corcoran (Secretary), Harold Sweeney, Adrian Kelly, Liam Maye,
Mary Willis, Paul Clarke, Paddy Rolston, Eileen McDonagh, Dessie Brady.
Benbulbin Group Water Supply Scheme
Water is abstracted from an underground spring
adjacent to the plant. The water is collected and
pumped forward to a sand / anthracite filter. The
filtered water is disinfected using hypochlorite liquid
chemical. The treated water is stored in an existing
concrete reservoir tank supplying water on demand
into the distribution pipe network. The treatment
plant has a water production capacity of 113m 3/d.
Benbulbin GWS treatment plant.
Committee: Michael McTigue (Chairman), Eugene Branley (Secretary), Ciaran Tiernan and John Monaghan
(Treasurers), John Egan, Jackie Healy, Noel Meehan.
Drum East Group Water Scheme
The new plant will treat water from the group
scheme’s existing source. Water is abstracted from an
underground spring on the southern side of
Benbulben Mountain. The water is delivered by
gravity to the treatment works site located at
Kiltycooly and pumped forward to the treatment
plant and on to a sand / anthracite filter. The filtered
water is disinfected using hypochlorite liquid
chemical. The treated water is stored in a new
concrete reservoir tank supplying water on demand
into a distribution pipe network. The treatment plant
has a water production capacity of 362m3/d. Drum East treatment plant
Committee: Councillor Veronica Cawley (Chairperson), Dominic Branley (Vice Chairman), Brendan Currid
(Secretary/Treasurer), Myles Phillips (Assistant Secretary), Michael Carroll, Charlie Kelly, James Clancy,
Michael Lally, David McDonald, Malachy Kivlehan.
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects page 8

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Castletown Group Water Scheme
Water is abstracted from a mountain stream on
the side of Kings Mountain. The abstracted water
gravitates via existing pipework to the treatment
plant site whereon it is collected and pumped
forward to a sand / anthracite filter. The filtered
water is disinfected using hypochlorite liquid
chemical. The treated water is then stored in an
existing concrete reservoir tank supplying water
on demand into the distribution pipe network. The
treatment plant has a water production capacity of
80m 3/d.
Committee: Seamus Waters (Chairman), Martin Shanley (Secretary), Derek Chambers (Treasurer).
Keelogyboy Group Water Supply Scheme
The new plant will treat water from the group
scheme’s existing sources on a stream to the
North East of Keelogyboy Lough. The water is
collected and pumped forward to a sand /
anthracite filter. The filtered water is
disinfected using hypochlorite liquid chemical.
The treated water is then stored in a new
concrete reservoir tank supplying water on
demand into a distribution pipe network. The
treatment plant has a water production
capacity of 160m3/d. Keelogyboy GWS treatment works.
Committee: Councillor Ita Fox (Chairperson), Joe Cunningham (Secretary), Pat Branley (Treasurer), Paddy
McMoreland, Tom Gallen, Gerry Lyons, Tom McGovern, Terry McGowan.
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects
E.S.B. at work at Castletown.

County Sligo Rural Water Monitoring Committee
Councillor Gerry Murray, Chairman
Kathleen McTiernan, Liaison Officer (Secretary)
Councillor Aidan Colleary
Councillor John Sherlock
Donal Harrison, Senior Executive Engineer
Gearoid O’Connor, (IFA Rep)
John Higgins, (County Federation of Group Water Schemes)
Mary Culkin, (ICMSA)
Karen Mulkeen, H & S Officer (NFGWS)
Sinead Higgins, Snr Development Coordinator (NFGWS)
South East Sligo Group Water DBO Project Steering Group
Seamus Concannon, Director of Services (SCC)
Kevin Larkin, Senior Engineer (SCC)
Jim Ganley, Assistant Principal Officer (DOEHLG)
John Fitzgerald, Engineering Inspector (DOEHLG)
Louis Kilmartin, National Project Manager
Gerry Murray, Chairman – County Sligo Rural Water Monitoring Committee
Donal Harrison, Senior Executive Engineer (SCC)
Kathleen McTiernan, Liaison Officer (Rural Water Programme)
Conor McCarthy, of Jennings O’Donovan & Partners/J.B.Barry & Partners
Pat Doyle, Sligo Project Manager (SCC)
John Higgins, (Representing South East Group Schemes)
Sean Clerkin, National Coordinator (NFGWS)
Sinead Higgins, Snr Development Coordinator (NFGWS)
Karen Mulkeen, H & S Officer (NFGWS)
North West Sligo Group Water DBO project steering group
Seamus Concannon, Director of Services (SCC)
Kevin Larkin, Senior Engineer (SCC)
Jim Ganley, Assistant Principal Officer (DOEHLG)
John Fitzgerald, Engineering Inspector (DOEHLG)
Louis Kilmartin, National Project Manager
Gerry Murray, Chairman – County Sligo Rural Water Monitoring Committee
Donal Harrison, Senior Executive Engineer (SCC)
Kathleen McTiernan, Liaison Officer (Rural Water Programme)
Paid Cassidy, T.J. O’Connor & Associates/DHV Water
Pat Doyle, Sligo Project Manager
Seamus Waters (Representing Group Schemes)
Sean Clerkin, National Coordinator (NFGWS)
Sinead Higgins, Snr Development Coordinator (NFGWS)
Karen Mulkeen, H & S Officer (NFGWS)
Consulting Engineers – South East Bundle
Jennings O’Donovan & Partners/J.B. Barry & Partners, Finisklin, Sligo
Conor McCarthy, David McLoone, Anne-Marie Connabear.
Consulting Engineers – North West Bundle
T.J. O’Connor & Associates/DHV Water, Corrig House, Corrig Road, Sandymount, Dublin
Paid Cassidy, Brian Morkan, Steve Seymour.
Project Team - Pat Doyle, David Higgins, James Melvin, Gerard Kyne.
Contractors - Treatment Services Limited, Canices Court, Kilkenny
Coffey Construction Ltd, Athenry, Co. Galway
Paddy Coffey, Seamus Crickley, Henk VanDerPoill, Cuan O’hOgain, Frank Brickell,
Karl Zimmerer, Jane Leheny, Senan Kelly, Ciaran McGarraghy.
North West and South East Sligo Group Water Scheme DBO projects page 10

cover photo: Lough Labe, Pat Flaherty
layout & design redeye / www.redeyedesign.ie /