Water infrastructure and civil engineering specialist Coffey has completed the upgrade of the Enfield Wastewater Treatment Plant in County Meath, Ireland.
Working in partnership with Uisce Éireann, this €11.5 million project represents a significant milestone in sustainable wastewater infrastructure for the region.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WwTP) had been operating close to maximum capacity, but the new facility will serve a population equivalent of 6,200 residents, with the capacity to accommodate future growth of up to 9,000 residents.
The project featured several innovative elements, including:
• Installation of two new settlement tanks and an outfall pipe
• Construction of 11 sludge drying reed beds (SDRBs) in collaboration with Wildgoose Environmental
• Implementation of two transfer pipelines beneath the River Blackwater
• Comprehensive flood defence works along the River Blackwater
• Construction of a Sludge Import Facility featuring the cutting-edge “The Beast” sludge import screen from SAVECO Environmental Limited, the first of its kind in the country
Coffey said the sustainable approach with SDRBs represents a cutting-edge solution for wastewater treatment. These innovative reed beds provide multiple environmental benefits through their natural processes: the reed roots absorb water from sludge, promoting efficient dewatering and drying, while microorganisms break down organic matter, reducing sludge volume and transforming it into mineralised compost. This technology eliminates the need for chemical additives, enhances local biodiversity by creating habitats for beneficial insects and birds, and acts as a natural carbon sequester, actively removing carbon from the atmosphere. The SDRBs will operate for 8-12 years without requiring sludge removal, substantially reducing transport movements, emissions, and operational costs.
The new Sludge Import Facility allows Uisce Éireann to import sludge from nearby Wastewater Treatment Plants, thus optimising waste processing efficiency. The facility’s “Beast” sludge import screen utilises advanced dual-motor technology to process incoming materials with exceptional effectiveness, screening, washing, and dewatering all in a single unit.
Coffey said this project demonstrates its commitment to delivering innovative, environmentally responsible solutions that support communities’ long-term growth and sustainability. Modernising Enfield’s wastewater infrastructure will benefit Counties Meath and Kildare for decades to come.
