Major upgrade for wastewater treatment for Greater Dublin

Ringsend Wastewater Treatment plant is the largest plant in Ireland, serving the growing population of Greater Dublin which represents c. 40% of the population of Ireland.

Egis – JB Barry was appointed in 2016 to complete the design, planning, procurement and project management for an overall upgrade of the plant, as part of a three-way joint venture with TJ OConnor & Associates, and Royal HaskoningDHV.

The aims for the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade are to increase its capacity from 1.64 million Population Equivalent (PE) to 2.4M Population Equivalent. This increased capacity will support future housing and economic development of the region, while protecting the environment of Dublin Bay .

This upgrade, the first for the Plant in almost 10 years, is also to comply with updated Environmental Protection Agency regulatory requirements on discharge standards. Works included application of enhanced sludge line technology, and an increase in sludge thickening capacity.

This was a complex project working in a congested site, and installation of the P Fix facility in an operational plant.

An innovative multi-layered solution

To deliver the requirements of the upgrade – to meet increased demand and improve the performance of the plant in terms of environmental impact, emissions and efficiency, the solution created incorporated the use of the innovative RoyalHaskoningDHV Nereda®Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) process. This was procured by Uisce Éireann and ‘Free issued’ to contractors as the selected secondary treatment process for the upgrade.

A multi-layered solution incorporated plant conversion and upgrade works associated with the application of the Nereda® technology, to achieve the 400,000 PE increase in capacity. A first of its kind for Ireland, the project included the application of a New Phosphorus Fixation facility that removes phosphorus from sludge, using Pearl/ Crystal Geen technology, transforming it into a sustainable slow-release fertiliser.

Further elements within this complex upgrade include sludge line enhancements, commissioned in the drive to improve environmental impact and enable further reuse of sludge in agriculture.

Working in a complex environment, congested site and live plant required close co-ordination between all stakeholders; operators, engineers, clients and contractors, using a Common Data Environment as a collaborative tool alongside Autodesk BIM 360.

Dublin Bay water quality upgrade: transforming resources

Water quality in Dublin Bay has been improved significantly because of the upgrade works, which have impacted outputs and increased capacity in terms of sludge processing and collection from the plant.

An associated project included the upgrade of the main lift pumping station which supports the wastewater treatment plant, improving the resilience of both to extreme storm events, and impacts of climate change.

With the upgrade’s inclusion of biological phosphorus removal through the ‘P Fix Facility, we're seizing the opportunity to recover and reuse a valuable resource. Phosphorus, a finite and dwindling resource globally, is now being transformed into Struvite, a slow-release agricultural fertilizer.

This state-of-the-art facility for Ireland marks a milestone in our commitment to environmental stewardship and circular economy principles.

The Facility directly addresses four of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: 6. Clean water and sanitation, 9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure, 12. Responsible consumption and production, 14. Life below water.

Major upgrade for wastewater treatment for Greater Dublin.

Client & Partners

Timeline

Benefits

Outcomes

Infrastructure to support sustainable population growth.

The challenge.

Create.

An innovative multi-layered solution

Achieve.

Dublin Bay water quality upgrade: transforming resources