By Dan Walsh
Kilmore Quay and Enniscorthy are Wexford communities benefitting from Uisce Éireann’s €436m plus investment in wastewater infrastructure across the country in 2023.
That’s according to the latest EPA Urban Wastewater Treatment Report published today, which 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.
Approximately, 136 wastewater treatment plants across the country have been constructed or had major upgrades since 2014. Last year saw Uisce Éireann continue 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.
In Wexford, this investment by Uisce Éireann has led to improved wastewater treatment in several communities.
In 2023, works were completed on a new sewage scheme for Kilmore Quay which has eliminated the discharge of raw sewage into the Eastern Celtic Sea. The discharges had been near the harbour, marina and amenity waters, as well as the Ballyteigue Burrow Nature Reserve.
Elsewhere in Wexford an upgrade to Enniscorthy’s wastewater network was also completed in 2023. These works have eliminated an untreated discharge to the River Slaney, improving water quality in the area while also ensuring compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. The project involved the construction of over 110 metres of new sewers on Mary Street and at the Promenade Pumping Station.
In 2022, the Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon Sewerage Scheme was completed. This important projected eliminated the discharge of raw sewage into the Barrow, Nore and Suir Estuary, improving and protecting water quality in the area, enabling future population growth. This €12.8 million investment involved the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Arthurstown for the population equivalent of 1,875 and included three new pumping stations as well as associated sewerage infrastructure.
Michael Tinsley, Uisce Éireann’s Senior Wastewater Delivery Manager told WexfordLocal.com; “Uisce Éireann invested over €436 million in wastewater infrastructure in 2023 but will require a multi-million-euro investment programme over many investment cycles to continue to improve infrastructure and to keep pace with the increased demand for new serviced land needed for housing, commercial developments and industry.
“Sustainable development cannot happen without appropriate water services infrastructure. Uisce Éireann requires the continued support of Government and all stakeholders and it is imperative that Uisce Éireann is given appropriate consideration in the legislation at planning, policy and project level as currently large infrastructure projects can take over 10 years to deliver due to the time required to secure planning and other consents.
“However, once Uisce Éireann breaks ground we have a proven track record of delivering projects on time,” concluded Mr Tinsley.
WexfordLocal.com 