Belleek Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) in Co. Fermanagh is overloaded with no spare treatment capacity. As a result, there is no opportunity for residential or economic development within the catchment. In addition, there is a significant infiltration problem at the WwTW. Incoming flows often exceed the WwTW’s hydraulic capacity and can lead to stormwater overflowing to the River Erne.
As a first for Northern Ireland, an innovative Aero-Fac® process is being proposed for Belleek.
Aero-Fac® is a self-digestion sludge process that requires no pre-screening, sedimentation tanks, clarifiers, dewatering, chemicals or sludge removal and therefore no tanker costs.
In addition, the process doesn’t require expensive roadways and needs minimal operator visits compared to conventional WwTW like the existing Belleek plant.
The Aero-Fac® option meets all of the WEST project objectives and provides greater flexibility for incoming flows as it automatically accommodates high variations in loadings.
As a result, fewer infiltration fixes in the network will be required.
Simple and low-cost operation with very little maintenance.
This low maintenance sustainable solution will deliver enhanced effluent quality to achieve compliance with discharge standards. The installation will allow NI Water and Uisce Éireann to glean first-hand information on this innovative technology to inform future wastewater treatment projects. With a higher quality of effluent going to local waterways, tourism organisations will have increased confidence in promoting the Erne catchment for angling and water-based activities.
At Belleek, consideration will also be given to monitoring the performance of the plant for nutrient and bacteriological reduction for information purposes in respect of other potential sites for future consideration. Several designated bathing beaches and shellfish protected areas are situated within Donegal Bay, downstream of the Erne River at Belleek.
