Limerick County Council has been named one of the primary winners at the 2013 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, held in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
The Local Authority beat off competition from 33 other Local Authority areas to be named winner of the ‘Strategic Water Initiative of the Year’ award for the Kilmallock Water Supply.
The project had been shortlisted alongside Erne Valley Water Scheme Partnership (Cavan County Council) and Shanganagh Bray Main Drainage Scheme (Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council) in the 10th annual awards scheme.
Limerick County Council earlier this year become the first Irish recipient of a prestigious internationally-recognised quality standard for the delivery of drinking water when it was presented with ISO 24512:2007 certification for its management of the Kilmallock Water Treatment Plant, which serves 2,500 customers in south County Limerick. The water supply was also shortlisted for the “Environmental Infrastructure Award” at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards on 8th November.
Speaking following last night’s awards event in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel, Cathaoirleach John Sheahan said the award success “is testament to the work of Limerick County Council staff, both past and present, who have committed their time and expertise to ensuring that some 2,500 customers are delivered high quality drinking water.”
Josephine Cotter Coughlan, Director of Services with responsibility for Environment, Water Services & Emergency Services in Limerick City and County added: “Planning, organisation and hard work by the staff of Limerick County Council has been the key to their hard-earned success in securing ISO certification and this award.”
Ms. Cotter Coughlan also paid tribute to the plant operator, Richard O’Neill. She continued: “Richard has been the main plant operator since it first opened in 1987 and has played a major role in developing and maintaining the water treatment system and in achieving ISO 24512:2007 certification for the plant.”
Kilmallock draws it water from the river Loobagh at the townland of Ballingaddy, some 3 kilometres by river upstream from the old monastery site. The current water treatment plant at Ballingaddy was opened in 1987. The water drawn from the River Loobagh undergoes a full treatment process at one location before being pumped to the reservoir. The plant is currently supplying over 1100 cubic metres or approximately 250,000 gallons per day to the town but has the capability of supplying another 1100 cubic metres day if required. All the processes within the plant are monitored on electronic systems.
The Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards ceremony saw a total of 17 awards presented across a variety of categories including: Supporting Active Communities; Festival of the Year; Sports Development and Local Authority Economic Efficiencies. Awards will also be presented to the City/County Council of the Year and the Town/Borough Council of the Year. For more visit www.chambers.ie.
