€8.1m upgrade in South Wicklow removes two water supplies from “at risk” list

Uisce Éireann customers in South County Wicklow will welcome the news today that their water supply has been removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of vulnerable water supplies.

Uisce Éireann has recently completed an €8.1 million upgrade to the Aughrim Annacurra Water Supply Scheme and to the Ballymorris Water Supply Scheme, ensuring a safe and secure water supply to 1,600 residents and businesses in these areas.

The completed upgrade removes both water supply schemes from the EPA’s Remedial Action List (RAL), and also removes the risk of boil water notices from the Ballymorris Water Supply Scheme.

Uisce Éireann would like to thank the community for their cooperation and patience during these works.

Ed Haythornthwaite, Drinking Water Compliance Lead at Uisce Éireann, is proud of the team effort to deliver the works to have two water supplies removed from the EPA’s Remedial Action List (RAL).

“At Uisce Éireann we are fully committed to identifying and addressing risks to drinking water quality. Our key focus remains the protection of public health through the provision of safe, clean and secure water supplies for local communities. This critical upgrade ensures ongoing compliance with drinking water regulations and significantly reduces the risk of future water quality issues. It will future proof the quality of the water supply for the communities in Aughrim, Annacurra, Ballymorris and surrounding areas.”

The works involved the construction and commissioning of approximately 13.5km of watermain; the extension of the Ballyduff (Arklow) Water Supply Scheme to Aughrim via Ballymorris; the installation of new booster pumps at Ballyduff, Ballymorris and Aughrim; and the decommissioning of Ballymorris and Aughrim Water Treatment Plants.

Ward and Burke Limited and Murphy Process Engineering carried out the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

Diane Carroll, Infrastructure Delivery Portfolio Manager at Uisce Éireann, said, “It is a great privilege to deliver this critical project for the people of Wicklow. With the works now complete this project ensures the continued delivery of safe, clean drinking water to homes and businesses in South County Wicklow.”

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.