Midlands Irish Water Scientist on her vital role in safeguarding the environment
Irish Water is delighted to take part in National Science Week 2020 which runs from 8 – 15 November. This year, the theme for Science Week is ‘Choosing our Future,’ focusing on how science can improve and help us to make positive choices that will impact the environment, our health, and our quality of life. This is especially important during these unprecedented times while we all try to navigate through a global pandemic together.
ABOVE: Joanne McGuinness, Wastewater Compliance Specialist for the East and Midlands region with Irish Water.
As part of Science Week, Irish Water is profiling a number of our scientists and the vital work they do in the water and wastewater industry and the role that science has in safeguarding our water supplies and the environment.
Joanne McGuinness is the Wastewater Compliance Specialist for the East and Midlands region with Irish Water. Her role involves close collaboration with the local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and Health Service Executive (HSE). She is responsible for overseeing the compliance of our wastewater treatment plants across the region, ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation.
Speaking about her role, Joanne said “We assess the performance of our wastewater treatment plants through a sampling and monitoring programme and report on this performance to our regulators. We treat approximately 1.7 billion litres of wastewater every day and our priority is to return the treated effluent safely to the environment.
She added: “I became a scientist because I have always loved nature and the great outdoors and applying science to the decision-making process is what I enjoy most about my role.
“I really enjoy the challenge and responsibility of my role. It’s a role that involves close collaboration with a range of stakeholders and brings with it a lot of responsibility especially in relation to protecting our environment and lessening the impact we make on it. As a fan of the outdoors I’m passionate about small changes people can make. There are a range of issues that can have a direct impact on compliance such as plant breakdowns and extreme weather. Everyday thousands of wet wipes, cotton wool buds, sanitary products and other unsuitable items are flushed down toilets causing blockages in wastewater systems and sewer overflows leading to pollution in our environment.
“The size and scale of the impact of flushing the wrong items is incredible, we remove over a hundred blockages from the sewer network across the country every week. It is really important that people recognise the impact of what they flush so the network can function efficiently and effectively. Placing a bin in the bathroom and disposing of wet wipes and other sanitary items appropriately has a hugely positive impact on the network and the environment.”
Irish Water supports Clean Coasts to raise awareness and reduce these issues through the ‘Think Before You Flush’ public awareness campaign. Find out more at www.water.ie/thinkbeforeyouflush.
Throughout the Covid-19 global pandemic Irish Water is continuing to work with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services.