New treatment system works to safeguard Trim water supply....

Works on an interim measure to safeguard the water supply and improve reliability of the water network in Trim are under way with the commissioning of a new treatment system.

However, it means that Trim residents are facing weeks of night time restrictions while the commissioning works are undertaken and a statement from Uisce Éireann on Friday confirms that it will need to tanker in water to the treatment plant to bolster the supply during this period.

Uisce Éireann begins commissioning a new Dissolved Air Flotation and Filtration (DAFF) system to replace the existing unit at Trim Water Treatment Plant this week, representing a capital investment of approximately €1.5 million. However, the utility has warned that supply may be impacted for the duration of the works.

This project is an interim measure to safeguard the water supply and improve reliability and resilience of the water network.

Speaking about the benefits of the project, Uisce Éireann’s Programme Manager, Ivan Corcoran, said: “The works carried out as part of this project will improve the reliability and resilience of the Water Treatment Plant and benefit over 12,000 customers in the community.

“We would like to thank the people of Trim and surrounding areas for their patience while we work to commission this new process,” Ivan added.

Project works commenced on site in 2024 and the commissioning works are now under way. Following a testing period, the new DAFF treatment system will be operational by mid-February 2025. All works will be contained within Trim Water Treatment Plant.

Due to critically low levels of water at the reservoir and to maintain a daytime supply for customers, Uisce Éireann says it will implement tankering of water to the treatment plant to maintain supply and facilitate commissioning of the new process. In addition, night-time restrictions will be in place for the duration of the works.

The works may also involve some short-term water interruptions and the project team says it will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to any planned water interruptions. Customers are urged to conserve water for the duration of the works. The areas which may be impacted by these interim works include Trim, Rathmolyon, Knightsbrook, Scurlockstown, Effernock, Carberstown, Clonbun, Blackfriary, Crowpark and surrounding areas.

Local residents have once again been left frustrated over the ongoing restrictions and breaks in supply. Gisbert Bayertz, a resident of Steeple Manor has questioned what is going on with the water supply that requires so many outages. Gisbert, speaking on Friday, said: “Of the 16 days passed this year, we had at least eight days of daily shut offs. They're not communicating any reasons, nor how long this will continue. It has been turned off every night this week.”

Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann says construction of a completely new Trim Water Treatment Plant is programmed to commence later in 2025, subject to the completion of procurement of the contractor to deliver the works.