Formal planning for the new Feakle Sewerage Scheme dates back to 1964.
The new Feakle sewerage scheme supports the existing Scarriff-Tuamgraney Sewerage Scheme, which has been upgraded.
Scarriff-Tuamgraney has had a municipal collection scheme and basic treatment facilities since the early 1960s but needed improving.
The scheme was complicated by being located in an environmentally sensitive area; the towns being situated on the shores of Lough Derg, the third largest lake in Ireland.
Planning involved land acquisition notices with over 70 landowners being affected.
The project won a partial grant in 2006 of Euro 8.8 million from the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, which meant that Clare county Council had to find the remaining Euro 6 million.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Pat Hayes officially opened the schemes today (July 8) and said he was “relieved that the schemes had borne fruition”.
He said: “I would like to acknowledge the patience and co-operation of the local communities in supporting the schemes advancement.
“The economic development of the area is directly connected to investment in infrastructure such as this, and I am delighted that another step in progressing such development has been achieved to allow for future economic growth.”
Alison Brown