Overview
On behalf of Ward and Burke, Entrust Services, provided comprehensive planning and compliance expertise for the successful delivery of upgrades to the Coosan West and Golden Island Water Treatment Plants in Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Both projects form part of the wider Athlone Main Drainage Scheme, aimed at modernising the region’s wastewater infrastructure and improving the environmental resilience of Athlone’s blue infrastructure, specifically the River Shannon.
Figure 1: The overground pipework plans presented to the council
Objective
The primary goal was to secure planning permission for design modifications to the Coosan West and Golden Island Pumping Stations. These upgrades were essential to increasing system capacity, mitigating flood risk, and supporting Athlone’s continued residential and commercial development in line with climate resilience and water quality objectives.
Challenges
- Aging Infrastructure: Legacy wastewater pumping stations were prone to overflows, flooding, and structural issues, particularly during storm events.
- Environmental Sensitivity: Located near the River Shannon, the projects had to meet stringent environmental and water quality protection standards.
- Planning Complexity: Design amendments required robust planning submissions and engagement with Westmeath County Council to ensure compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks and regional development plans.
Figure 2: The changes to Golden Island
Solutions
Entrust Services offered specialist planning consultancy and regulatory support by:
- Developing detailed planning compliance reports and technical justifications for proposed upgrades.
- Liaising with the Planning Authority to facilitate a smooth approvals process for both sites.
- Applying a holistic planning strategy aligned with the goals of Irish Water and the Athlone Main Drainage Scheme.
- Leveraging its experienced in-house planning team to provide expert guidance on wastewater infrastructure developments within a sensitive hydrological context.
Results
The planning permission was secured, which allowed essential infrastructure improvements to start. The completed upgrades at Coosan West and Golden Island have also allowed for the decommissioning of multiple outdated pumping stations, significantly reducing the risk of flooding, surcharging, and overflows. These improvements enhance Athlone’s network resilience against climate-related hazards and contribute meaningfully to the protection and improvement of water quality in the River Shannon.
