Planning application notice published to progress Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant project

Uisce Éireann has published notice of a planning application to An Bord Pleanála, in respect of a Strategic Infrastructure Development, to progress the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. We have also published notice of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the project. The proposed new Wastewater Treatment Plant (WwTP) will end the current practice of discharging untreated wastewater into the Avoca River.

The project will benefit residents and the environment in Arklow in terms of health and the the environment by improving the water quality in the River Avoca.  The project is important in terms of facilitating economic development and providing for a growing population. 

The construction of the proposed new wastewater treatment plant is part of a €60m investment in the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Project. Subject to planning consent and procurement, construction is expected to begin by the end of 2019 and will take approximately three years to construct.

Since 2014, we have undertaken extensive public consultation around the site selection and design. The site for the proposed new wastewater treatment plant is at the Old Wallboard Factory, North Quay, Ferrybank, Arklow. On completion of the project, water quality in the Avoca River in Arklow will improve significantly. Cleaner water will enhance Arklow's amenity value and act as a platform for social and economic development. The project includes the capacity for future growth in the area. The provision of a wastewater treatment plant for Arklow is a requirement under both European and national legislation. 

The summary scope of the project includes a new wastewater treatment plant (WwTP) to treat 36,000 population equivalent (PE),  two interceptor sewer pipelines (along North and South Quay) to bring untreated wastewater to the proposed WwTP and a marine sea outfall pipe to safely discharge the treated wastewater effluent to the Irish Sea. Commenting on the planning application, John Joyce, Infrastructure Programme Regional Lead said "We are pleased to publish the planning application notice and Compulsory Purchase Order for the proposed Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant to An Bord Pleanála. Since Uisce Éireann took over the responsibility for water and wastewater services in January 2014, addressing the need to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the River Avoca has been a top priority. Progressing the planning application is a vital step in this process. The proposed new WwTP will have huge benefits for the residents and businesses in Arklow and the tourists that visit the area as it will improve the water quality in the River Avoca and enable future economic growth in the area. Uisce Éireann will continue to keep the community up to date on the project". 

An Bord Pleanála is the authority that will assess our planning application for the project. A seven week statutory public consultation will commence on Thursday, 20 September 2018.

The planning application and the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) may be inspected free of charge or purchased on payment of a specified fee (which fee shall not exceed the reasonable cost of making such copy) during public opening hours at the following locations: 

• The Offices of An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 from Thursday, 20 September 2018 to Friday, 9 November 2018 
• The Offices of Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Whitegates, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow from Thursday, 20 September 2018 to Friday, 9 November 2018.
• The application may also be viewed/downloaded from Thursday, 20 September 2018 on the Arklow planning website: www.arklowwastewater.ie 
• Members of the public and interested parties can make observations and submissions on the planning application directly to An Bord Pleanála up until 5.30pm on Friday, 9 November 2018

A copy of the Compulsory Purchase Order and Drawings referred to in the published notice may be seen at the following locations:

• Uisce Éireann, Colvill House, 24-26, Talbot Street, Dublin 1. 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
• Wicklow County Council, Arklow Municipal District Office, Castle Park, Arklow, Co. Wicklow. 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
• Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Station Road, Whitegates, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow. 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Members of the public are welcome to contact the project team with any questions on the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant planning application and can do so in the following ways: 

Email: arklowtp@water.ie 
Phone: Lo-call 1890 100 095 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri except bank holidays)
Web: www.arklowwastewater.ie

You can also view our project page at Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant.blic consultation 20 September - 9 November, 2018.