The Westmeath scientist behind Athlone's water treatment plant upgrade
A Westmeath scientist was at the centre of the recent upgrade to Athlone's wastewater treatment plant, which saw human inputs "virtually eliminated" as the facility became automated.
Mullingar native Catherine McDonough is the Asset Operations Lead at Irish Water. The utility highlighted her work this week as part of its involvement in National Science Week, which runs until Sunday.
Catherine joined Irish Water in 2014, when the public sector body was in its infancy, and it was here she could mould her expertise in science and engineering into one career.
She described the Athlone wastwater treatment upgrade as one of the most satisfying projects she had led in recent years.
In 2019, the facility at Marine View was upgraded with new inlet works and centrifuge dewatering systems to improve the quality and productivity of the plant.
"This was a mammoth undertaking by Irish Water to automate the plant. Previously, operators worked tirelessly to keep the plant running.
"With the new automation in place, the plant can run like clockwork and human inputs have been virtually eliminated. Best of all the operators can now function in other parts of the plant to ensure the best efficiencies in terms of costs and energy savings," she said.
Irish Water said the upgrade of the plant had resulted in savings of €5,000 per month in operation costs and had freed up the operators to carry out other essential tasks.
The innovation used in the upgrade proved so successful that its roll out at other sites is now being considered, it added.
Catherine has also dedicated her time to encouraging young students to pursue careers in science and engineering. In 2022, Irish Water took part at the STEM Secondary School exhibition, aimed at students in secondary schools to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects for Leaving Certificate.
For further information on Irish Water's events throughout the country as part of Science Week, visit: www.water.ie/scienceweek