Ballina and Lough Talt Water Supply Upgrade Project
Uisce Éireann is progressing site investigation works to enhance the security and resilience of the water supply in Ballina and surrounding areas in Co. Mayo, as well as Lough Talt and surrounding areas in Co. Sligo.
Uisce Éireann is advancing the design and planning works for the Ballina/Lough Talt Water Supply Upgrade. This project will benefit 35,000 people, ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for Ballina, Bonniconlon, Tubbercurry, and surrounding areas as well as allowing for future social economic growth and development in the region.
Two engineers looking through project plans
Why is this project needed?
The project is needed to provide a safe and reliable water supply to Ballina and surrounding areas, while also supporting future growth and development. The proposed upgrades will increase capacity in the supply network, allowing
Uisce Éireann to extend the Ballina network to areas currently served by the Lough Talt Regional Water Supply Scheme, which is not sustainable long-term.
Additional storage will be built at Lisglennon to enhance the security of supply for Ballina and new storage facilities will also be provided at Lough Talt to ensure a stable water supply for South Co. Sligo.
Large parts of Ballina Town are currently served by a critical asbestos cement trunk main, which will be replaced to improve the reliability of the water supply.
Furthermore, the rationalisation of the Lough Talt water treatment plant will put an end to water abstraction from Lough Talt, restoring natural lake levels and providing significant ecological benefits to local habitats and wildlife.
What are the benefits?
The key benefits to the existing infrastructure and network that will be addressed by this project include:
- Upgrades to the ageing water network infrastructure.
- Increased capacity to provide for future growth and development.
- Increased resilience in the network by increasing the treated water storage for Ballina.
- Increased resilience in the network with the addition of treated water storage in Lough Talt, Co Sligo.
- Upgrade to the Lisglennon water treatment facilities which will improve the robustness of the treatment processes.
What is involved in this project?
This major investment to upgrade the Ballina & Lough Talt Water Supply will involve:
- Upgrade of Wherrew Intake facilities
- Upgrade of the Lisglennon Pumping Station
- Provision of trunk mains from Lisglennon pumping station to Lisglennon Water Treatment Plant
- Upgrade of Lisglennon Water Treatment Plant
- Provision of additional treated water storage reservoir at Lisglennon
- Provision of Trunk Mains from Lisglennon to Ballina, Bonniconlon and Lough Talt
- Provision of treated water storage reservoir at Lough Talt
- Rationalisation of Lough Talt source
What are the next steps?
Environmental and topographical surveys have been completed. Site investigation works will commence the first week in January 2025 and expected to continue for up to June 2025.
Will customers be affected by the works?
Areas of work will be limited to short sections to minimise impact on customers. To deliver the works safely and efficiently, traffic management will be required. When further information is available in this regard it will be shared with local stakeholders and the community. Local and emergency traffic will always be maintained.
Uisce Éireann will endeavour to keep all stakeholders informed as we progress this essential water supply project.
