The recently published EPA Urban Wastewater Treatment Report shows the progress being made in tackling long-running issues like raw sewage discharges, while also underlining the need for continued investment in essential wastewater services at local community level.
The Athlone Main Drainage Scheme is one of the largest capital investments undertaken by Uisce Éireann to date. The €114 million landmark upgrade of Athlone’s wastewater collection system, once completed in 2025, will reduce the risk of sewer flooding in Athlone and address non-compliant sewer overflows into the River Shannon. It will also improve the capacity of the sewer network allowing for current and future population growth.
Since 2020, 10.5kms of sewers have been surveyed in Athlone as part of the investigations into the condition of the network in the town. These survey works will help to target investment that will ultimately bring further improvements to the wastewater network in the town.
Further upgrades are also planned for Ballymore under the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme. This project will be progressed through the current and future investment cycles, subject to approval and planning.
Brian Sheehan, Uisce Éireann’s Head of Infrastructure Delivery, noted that ending raw sewage discharges and improving wastewater treatment for communities in County Westmeath is a priority for Uisce Éireann.
“We are making huge strides in addressing these issues and we are now seeing real and tangible benefits from the unprecedented level of investment in this essential infrastructure. To date, over 70% of raw sewage discharges nationwide have been eliminated and we are on track to end the majority by 2025. Our targeted programme of investment in existing wastewater plants and networks at a local level is also helping to protect the environment and enhance water quality.
“The timely delivery of this infrastructure and these services is a critical component in supporting sustainable social and economic development. Last year we invested over €1 billion in water and wastewater projects, and we will need to maintain this level of funding in the years to come. It will also be necessary to address existing issues in our planning and approvals system so that large scale critical infrastructure can progress within a reasonable timeframe.
“We will continue to work with Government and our regulators, including the EPA and CRU, to ensure we can rise to the challenge of delivering transformative wastewater services to enable communities to thrive,” Mr Sheehan stated.
The year 2022 saw the highest annual investment in wastewater to date as Uisce Éireann continues 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 Eireann has optimised investment decisions by prioritising the best possible service improvements, while maximising value for money.
Uisce Eireann is also driving sustained improvement in existing wastewater treatment standards. Last year, 91% of Ireland’s treatment plants were fully compliant with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. 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.
In total, 28 areas around the country are now benefiting from cleaner waters and enhanced amenities due to the construction of new wastewater treatment plants where none existed previously. There are currently 11 more locations under construction. This means that over 70% of all raw sewage discharges nationwide have now been eliminated, with the majority of the remainder set to end by 2025.
