Work is progressing ahead of schedule on the 9 million euro Belmullet Sewerage Scheme, according to Irish Water.

Work on the long-awaited scheme started in June, and about half of the pipeline construction works are now completed, while preparatory work has also been completed on the wastewater treatment plant site to allow construction get underway.

Irish Water says the project is on target to be completed inside the 18-month timeline.

When completed, it will remove Belmullet from the list of 44 towns nationally where wastewater is discharged untreated.

Broadhaven and Blacksod Bays are both Special Areas of Conservation, and this project will bring to an end the practice of discharging untreated wastewater into the bay.