(www.Veoliawater.com) The first contract, awarded by the Westmeath County Council, is worth around €48 million in total for Veolia Water, and is for the upgrade of the existing Wastewater Treatment Works in Mullingar, near Dublin in County Westmeath. The plant currently caters for a population of 28,000 inhabitants. With steady demographic growth predicted for the region, the plant upgrade will be designed to cater for 55,000 inhabitants and will include a sludge treatment centre for 105,000 inhabitants and a pumping station with total design capacity of 4,852 l/s (4,500 l/sec of which is storm water).

The second contract has been awarded by Mayo County Council in Castlebar on the west coast of Ireland, for a total cumulative value of around €26 million. The project scope includes the Castlebar Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade from an existing 20,000 population equivalent (PE) wastewater treatment plant to a 35,000 PE plant, including 10,000 PE from an industrial stream. The completed scheme will provide a modern sewage collection and treatment system capable of meeting the expanding needs of the town and its environs well into the future. It will also eliminate pollution of the Castlebar River and enable the sustainable development of residential and commercial sectors.

Veolia Water will be overseeing the design and build part of the projects and will be responsible for the entire duration of the operation and maintenance phases of both projects.

The company will be working with Ascon Ltd, as civil design-build subcontractor.

According to Antoine Frérot, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Water,

 "The award of these two contracts illustrates Veolia Water's expertise in meeting the priorities of local authorities. In Mullingar and Castlebar, the aim is to protect the quality of water and eliminate pollution while accompanying urban growth. This is essential for the good ecological recovery of water resources".