THE idea of managing a multi-million euro engineering project would be a daunting prospect for most young engineers.
But for Kevin O’Leary, project manager for Irish Water’s new national laboratory, it’s all about the challenge and opportunity to improve Ireland’s water and wastewater infrastructure.
For the past three years Kevin has played a lead role in the development of the new national laboratory building in Ballysimon, on the outskirts of Limerick city.
The new 3,800 square metre national laboratory will be the first of its kind to be developed by Irish Water and will have the capacity to analyse around 1.2 million water and wastewater tests a year.
The facility will have organic and inorganic chemistry laboratories, microbiology and parasitology laboratories with support services including utility support areas, gas stores, consumables storage and waste storage areas. It will also have meeting rooms, offices, and reception, canteen and welfare facilities to cater for the staff of around 100 people.
The laboratory will play an important role in Irish Water’s investment decisions and protecting the public health by ensuring the delivery of clean, safe drinking water through rigorous analysis.
Since Kevin came on board, the project team identified and acquired a 21-acre site, received planning permission, completed a robust detailed design and is currently finalising the procurement assessment for the main construction contract.
It is expected that construction will start next year and that the laboratory will be up and running by 2023.
The opportunity to project manage the national laboratory development for the national water utility is one Kevin has seized with both hands.
Having studied Structural Engineering in college, the West Cork native joined the Irish Water programme as a graduate eight years ago, when the utility was being set up as Irish Water.
That experience has been put to good use since taking on the role of project manager for the National Laboratory in Limerick. While his background in structural engineering has come in useful, it is the ability to collaborate with colleagues from a range of disciplines that is key to successful project management.
“As a Project Manager you must build relationships and work effectively with a wide range of different stakeholders in many different disciplines throughout the project,” he explains.
Kevin and his team have also been liaising with their counterparts in Scottish Water to learn the lessons from similar scale UK Laboratories and using them to enhance the laboratory design.
As well as being the first national water and wastewater testing facility developed by Irish Water, the laboratory will be a flagship in many other areas too.
Kevin explains that at the heart of the design is a commitment to energy efficiency that will place the building in a league of its own when it comes to sustainability. Regulations stipulate that the building must be built to Near Zero Energy Standards, but that is just the starting point for the Limerick laboratory.
The design team is currently aiming for BREEAM “outstanding” certification – a stamp of approval which recognises the most sustainable buildings that enhance the well-being of the people who live and work in them, help protect natural resources and make for more attractive environments in which to work.
“It will be a building for people to enjoy working in, and highlight Irish Water’s commitment to future sustainability initiatives” Kevin explains.
Safety is also a top priority – as a laboratory the building is subject to stringent safety standards to safeguard against any hazards associated with chemical, biological or other processes.
For Kevin, overcoming problems and dealing with the many challenges that arise in such a complex project is what attracted him to engineering.
“Even from a young age, I was always working with my hands and helping my father in the work shop, so engineering was a natural choice for me. What I enjoy the most about engineering is the challenge, taking a concept and developing it through the design and construction phases, and finally seeing the end product become operational is very satisfying.
“My role brings great variety, no two days are the same and it’s important to understand that you’re always learning as an engineer, no matter what the scale of the project.”
And his advice to young people interested in pursuing a career in engineering?
“For anyone interested in engineering – whatever engineering degree you study, your qualification will present you with a great foundation for problem solving, understanding of teamwork and highlight fundamental skills that are very transferrable to a range of careers.
“I would encourage anyone considering a career in engineering to reach out to engineers across the profession and ask about projects and the day to day working life of an engineer,” he concluded.
