Teagasc is planning to undertake a "significant upgrade" of the existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at its Moorepark facility in Co. Cork.

The Moorepark campus in Fermoy is one of Teagasc's main locations and is home to a range of research, innovation and food development activities, including those undertaken by Moorepark Technology Limited (MTL).

The existing wastewater treatment plant on the site was originally built in 1992 and operates under discharge licence from Cork County Council.

According to the tender documents, the majority of wastewater historically treated by the plant originated from dairy-related activities.

"However, changing research priorities and evolving food development programmes have resulted in a significant shift in the composition and variability of wastewater being generated on site," the documents said.

This has led to "increased operational challenges" for the existing treatment process.

Wastewater treatment plant

Teagasc said it has undertaken "significant investment" in the wastewater treatment plant in recent years.

This included mechanical, electrical and operational upgrades completed in 2023 and 2024.

"These projects improved reliability, safety and operational control but did not fundamentally address the need for greater treatment flexibility and resilience to changing wastewater characteristics," the tender document said.

Teagasc said it is now inviting "suitably qualified and experienced economic operators" to respond to a suitability assessment questionnaire (SAQ) for this proposed project.

It is expected the project will "provide enhanced capability through the introduction of additional treatment processes, contingency infrastructure, automation and monitoring systems".

"The objective is to ensure that the WWTP remains capable of reliably treating variable wastewater streams while maintaining compliance with discharge licence requirements and supporting future campus activities," the documents said.

Teagasc

Teagasc said if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received, the authority will shortlist the five highest-scoring applicants to participate in the next stage of the procurement process.

At the second stage, applicants will be invited to submit an initial tender setting out their proposed technical solution, project delivery methodology and commercial proposal.

At the conclusion of negotiations, remaining participants may be invited to submit a final tender which will then be evaluated.