Wicklow communities benefit from major investment in wastewater infrastructure

• Uisce Éireann making strong progress in addressing priority issues following decades of under-investment
• Raw sewage discharges now eliminated in 41 of 50 areas (82%)
• 94% of wastewater treatment plants compliant with Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
• 136 new wastewater treatment plants built or upgraded since 2014
• Multi-billion euro investment required over many decades to achieve necessary standards

Arklow, Avoca and Blessington are three of the Wicklow communities benefitting from Uisce Éireann’s €436m plus investment in wastewater infrastructure across the country in 2023.

Enhancing water quality, protecting the environment and supporting communities to grow is paramount for Uisce Éireann, with 94% of Ireland’s treatment plants now compliant with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. This progress is as a result of the ongoing high level of investment nationally.

The latest EPA Urban Wastewater Treatment Report published today, shows the progress being made in tackling long-running issues like raw sewage discharges, while also underlining the need for continued investment in our essential wastewater services.

Approximately, 136 wastewater treatment plants across the country have been constructed or had major upgrades since 2014. Last year saw Uisce Éireann continue to make progress in priority areas such as locations where there is raw sewage entering the rivers, lakes and the sea, and sites identified by the European Court of Justice under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

The building, repair and upgrading of Ireland’s wastewater treatment plants and sewer network will require a multi-billion euro investment programme over many years. Uisce Éireann has optimised investment decisions by prioritising the best possible service improvements, while maximising value for money.

In Wicklow, this investment by Uisce Éireann has led to improved wastewater treatment in a number of communities.

The €139m Arklow Sewerage Scheme is nearing completion. Works to the sewer network (along the North and South Quays) are complete and Uisce Éireann has recently begun the testing of new the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant is expected to be fully operational by 2025 at which time the treated wastewater will be safely discharged to the Irish Sea via the newly constructed long sea outfall pipe.

Uisce Éireann have commenced works to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in Avoca and end the unacceptable practice of discharging raw sewerage into the Avoca River. This project involves the construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will serve a population equivalent of 1,900. 
The Blessington Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project was completed in 2023. This project has upgraded the treatment processes at the existing wastewater treatment plant in Blessington - improving its capacity and allowing for future social and economic growth in the area. These upgrade works have also ensured compliance with national and EU legislation.

For those plants that are not currently achieving compliance, Uisce Éireann has a plan of action to address any deficiencies and bring them up to the appropriate standard as quickly as possible. Challenges remain in a small number of areas due to the timelines involved in securing planning and other consents for large infrastructure projects such as wastewater treatment plants, which are often outside Uisce Éireann’s control.

Michael Tinsley, Uisce Éireann’s Senior Wastewater Delivery Manager commented, “Our once-in-a-generation plan to eliminate raw sewage discharges is on track to bring what can only be described as a life-changing improvement to communities around Ireland. Cleaner waters, greater capacity for development and an enhanced environment are just some of the benefits these projects have delivered. We look forward to continuing the excellent progress being made to date, while acknowledging that delays remain in some areas, particularly in relation to legal challenges to planning and other consents, which are largely outside Uisce Éireann’s control.”

2023 also saw further strong progress in compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. At the end of the year, compliance with the directive stood at 94% of treatment plants - the highest level achieved to date This has been achieved through identifying and targeting investment to the treatment plants with the greatest environmental impact.

Michael Tinsley noted: “Uisce Éireann invested over €436 million in wastewater infrastructure in 2023 but will require a multi-million euro investment programme over many investment cycles to continue to improve infrastructure and to keep pace with the increased demand for new serviced land needed for housing, commercial developments and industry. Ireland’s growing population and industrial activity, combined with the challenges being presented by climate change, must also be factored in when considering long-term investment requirements and capital investment plans.

“Sustainable development cannot happen without appropriate water services infrastructure. Uisce Éireann requires the continued support of Government and all stakeholders and it is imperative that Uisce Éireann is given appropriate consideration in the legislation at planning, policy and project level as currently large infrastructure projects can take over 10 years to deliver due to the time required to secure planning and other consents.

“However, once Uisce Éireann breaks ground we have a proven track record of delivering projects on time. We will continue to work with Government and our regulators, including the EPA and CRU, to ensure we can rise to the challenge to delivering transformative wastewater services to enable communities to thrive.”