Infrastructure upgrades continue apace supporting growth and development

While warm weather and water conservation dominated the headlines, it was another big week for the public and customers of Uisce Éireann for a different reason. Three key pieces of infrastructure in the South, West and East of the country were being announced helping to safeguard water supplies and eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the environment. The announcement of new infrastructure  was welcome news locally for the residents, politicians and local business of Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Mayo and Wexford as Uisce Éireann continued to deliver essential projects across the country. The projects mean a more secure water supply for customers in the East and improved water quality for swimming, angling and tourism in Mayo and Wexford.

The Greater Dublin area, a water supply zone spanning five counties, saw the official sod turning in Saggart of a new 100 million litre covered treated storage reservoir that will help to safeguard the water supply to homes and businesses. The new state of the art reservoir will store 100 million litres of treated drinking water, the equivalent of 40 Olympic sized swimming pools supplied from Ballymore Eustace Water treatment plant, Ireland's largest water treatment plant. Speaking on the day, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Joe Costello said, "Turning the sod on the Saggart Reservoir project is an important milestone in the Greater Dublin Area's water supply. The existing Saggart waterworks, built in the 1950s served our communities well and today marks the start of the construction of a new flagship reservoir that will serve homes and businesses across the GDA for decades to come. The reservoir will provide strategic water storage for the area and will provide for social and economic growth."

Meanwhile it was of great delight to those in attendance in Killala Mayo to have Minister Peter Burke and Managing Director of Uisce Éireann Niall Gleeson officially open Killala, Foxford and Charlestown Wastewater Treatment Plants following a €19m investment which has ended the discharge of raw sewage to Killala Bay and will bring environmental benefits to the River Moy.

Speaking at the official opening Minister Burke said: "I am honoured to be here today in Killala to officially open the new and upgraded wastewater treatment plants in Killala, Foxford and Charlestown. Uisce Éireann is to be commended for completing this work as part of its commitment to the people of Mayo. The provision of a reliable wastewater service, in a manner that protects the natural environment, is essential to the economic and social development across the county. "The new and upgraded treatment plants will bring huge benefits to the local communities in terms of protection of the environment; improved water quality for angling, water sports and marine life."

Lastly but not least it was sun, sea, sand and a sod turning in Wexford as Uisce Éireann began works to end discharge of raw sewage with the sod turning for a new Wastewater Treatment Plant for Arthurstown, Duncannon and Ballyhack. One of the attendees on the day was Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Barbara Anne Murphy who said: "The commencement of this vital sewerage infrastructure development will lead to enhanced tourism opportunities for the beautiful villages of Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon. In Wexford we pride ourselves on our expansive well-maintained beaches and coastline with all of the amenities they offer. The removal of untreated wastewater to this estuary has long been a goal of Wexford County Council, and we can now look forward to all the benefits of a cleaner environment, previously denied due to the lack of treatment in the area. These works will also hasten the return of our Blue Flag Beach status to Duncannon. I very much welcome the investment from Uisce Éireann in conjunction with Wexford County Council."