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Draft WSSP 2050 Public Consultation

The draft Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 (WSSP 2050) sets out our objectives and the means by which we aim to achieve them in the context of the significant challenges we are likely to face over the next 25 years.

Uisce Éireann, as Ireland's national public water services provider, supplies 1.7 billion litres of drinking water to our customers every day and collects and treats more than 1.2 billion litres of wastewater before we safely return it to the environment.

Providing safe, secure and sustainable water services is vital for our society, supporting public health, supporting the delivery of housing and jobs and protecting our environment and precious water resources.

The draft Water Services Strategic Plan 2050

This draft WSSP 2050 presents our strategic objectives to 2050, aligned to our vision. It also outlines the steps we will take to work towards these objectives in the short, medium and longer term. For more information, view the draft Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 Consultation information leaflet.

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What to expect. 

The WSSP is one of a suite of plans and policy documents guiding the delivery of water and wastewater services in Ireland. The WSSP sets the overarching framework for subsequent more detailed implementation plans including for example the National Water Resources Plan (NWRP).

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Public Consultation

Public consultation on the draft Water Services Strategic Plan 2050, and the draft Strategic Environmental Assessment and draft Natura Impact Statement is now closed. The consultation ran for ten weeks from 21 May to 30 July 2024. As well as gathering feedback related to the draft WSSP 2050 and associated environmental reports the results of this public consultation will provide an insight into attitudes towards public water and wastewater services and the challenges we face now and into the future.

What did we consult on?

In the draft Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 we present the challenges we face in delivering water services to 2050. We outline actions to respond to these challenges including how our approach to long term planning has changed to address the new and emerging trends in an uncertain future.

This public consultation presented a unique opportunity for you to engage with Uisce Éireann in the development of our 25-year strategy for the delivery of water services in Ireland.

The purpose of this consultation was to meaningfully engage with all our stakeholders, particularly those with an interest in water and wastewater services, to better inform the content of the draft WSSP 2050. We also wanted to gather views on UÉs, strategic objectives, aims, actions, and challenges for delivering the Plan.

What’s included in the WSSP?

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We have identified 4 strategic objectives in the draft WSSP 2050 to address the key challenges facing our organisation and the services we are delivering up to 2050.

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Accompanying the 4 strategic objectives are 14 strategic aims that will help us to address our most critical investment needs, respond to emerging policy requirements and capitalise on new opportunities to transform our infrastructure.

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In accordance with Section 33(4) of the Water Services (No. 2) Act, 2013, we have set out the means by which we propose to achieve our strategic objectives. These are presented as 35 key actions.

Consultation Engagement

Consultation on the draft WSSP 2050, draft SEA and draft NIS is now closed.

Stakeholders could avail of two options to assist them in making a submission a consultation survey and consultation questions. At the beginning of the consultation period, we held two public webinars to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the draft Water Services Strategic Plan 2050. A webinar recording of the consultation is available to view below.

Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 Webinar

Draft Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 Video

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Next steps

Following the conclusion of this consultation, Uisce Éireann will now review and consider feedback received from all stakeholders. The submissions and observations received during the public consultation will be taken into consideration, and the draft Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 updated and submitted for Ministerial approval.

Following Ministerial Approval the final Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 will be adopted in early 2025 alongside the SEA Statement and AA Determination. The SEA statement will outline the issues raised and demonstrate the amendments that were made to the Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 as a result of the consultation.

The Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 will undergo regular reviews, every five years, to ensure its continued relevance. These reviews will allow us to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving needs.

Updates to the Water Services Strategic Plan 2050 will be informed by changes in legislation related to water services and better information, especially on asset performance, demographics, and climate change.