New water treatment plant opened in Ireland

A new state-of-the-art water treatment plant has been unveiled in Ireland.

Based in Ennis, County Clare, the €9.8 million (£8.48 million) facility incorporates the country's largest membrane filtration system and will provide high quality water to 30,000 people in the town and surrounding area.

The plant has been co-funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Clare County Council under the National Development Plan.

Clare County manager Tom Coughlan said it will greatly enhance the quality of water that local residents and businesses receive.

"Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council acknowledge the patience, co-operation and assistance of the general public during the period of the boil water notice and are now delighted that the new treatment plant is fully operational," he added.

UK company Severn Trent Water recently released a report calling for the water industry to improve the reliability of its network and cut carbon emissions.

Written by Joseph Hutton