Minister Darragh O’Brien visits the Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme

Uisce Éireann's Managing Director, Niall Gleeson, welcomed Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, to the Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme site to see first-hand this strategically important €88 million wastewater infrastructural project.

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Fingal County Council, is making significant progress on the project located in Waterville Park in the Tolka Valley. The delivery of this substantial wastewater project will support existing and future residential and commercial development and will safeguard the environment in Blanchardstown and surrounding areas.

Progress

The existing wastewater network was constructed in the 1970s and since then the area it serves has expanded considerably. The wastewater network in Mulhuddart and Castleknock, as well as a number of towns in Meath including Dunboyne, Clonee, Ashbourne and Ratoath are all being upgraded as part of the project. The primary works are contained within an area of Waterville Park. The construction of the underground storm water management facility and pumping station is progressing on schedule. Along Tolka Valley Park, the first of three kilometres of new wastewater network has been constructed using innovative tunnelling methods, ensuring that the impact on the park and its users is being kept to a minimum.

The works, being carried out by Ward and Burke Construction Limited on behalf of Uisce Éireann, are scheduled to be completed by 2023.

Minister O'Brien

Speaking from the site, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien said, "The Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme project demonstrates how Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Fingal County Council, is delivering infrastructure that is critical for our communities and our economy. The delivery of this project will support existing and future residential and commercial development in Blanchardstown and surrounding areas and is one of a number of wastewater projects being delivered in the Greater Dublin Area."

Niall Gleeson

Niall Gleeson, Managing Director of Uisce Éireann said, "Uisce Éireann is working to support social and economic growth in Ireland through the delivery of essential water and wastewater services. The size and scale of the task to deliver efficient wastewater services for a modern growing economy while safeguarding the environment shouldn't be underestimated. We have made significant progress but there is work still to do as we continue to build world class wastewater infrastructure through our multi-billion programme of investment. This particular project will provide Blanchardstown and the surrounding areas with the infrastructure needed to support the building of houses and schools; to attract new industry and to allow companies to expand and grow."

Uisce Éireann continues to work at this time, with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical wastewater services. For further information regarding this project check out the Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme project page.