€13m wastewater upgrade progressing in Athenry
13 September 2023
Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Galway County Council as they continue to progress the Athenry Sewerage Scheme Project. The delivery of this essential wastewater project will support future economic growth and development, improve the existing sewer network for residents, and protect the environment by reducing the risk of sewer overflows into the River Clarin.
This €13 million project is part of Uisce Éireann's commitment to the national drive to provide homes to people who need them by developing and prioritising the delivery of key water and wastewater infrastructure. The project is part of Uisce Éireann’s wider plan to improve the wastewater infrastructure in the wider Athenry area.
Commenting on the project, Eunan Canavan, Uisce Éireann said, “Working with our colleagues in Galway County Council, we are very happy that so much progress has been made on this vital project. A sewer network that is fit for purpose is essential in order to support business and social development in the community. Not only will these works support existing and future residential and commercial development, but they will also improve the overall performance of the sewer network."
Acknowledging the support of the local community, Eunan added, “We fully understand that the works may cause disruption to commuters and local road users and our crews will continue to make every effort to minimise disruption and complete the project as quickly as possible."
“We thank the people of Athenry for their patience as these works progress and know that the long-term benefits will far outweigh the short-term inconvenience.”
As part of the next phase of the project, works are taking place along Caheroyn Road. To ensure the safety of crews and the public, a road closure will be required for approximately six weeks along Caheroyn Road. Diversion routes will be clearly signposted and local and emergency access will be maintained at all times. To minimise disruption, works will be carried out on the sewer network between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and Saturday between 9am and 4pm with no works anticipated on Sundays and public holidays. Uisce Éireann understands that this type of work can be inconvenient and works crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works cause.
The project includes a new eastern collector sewer from the Cuirt Ard/Caheroyan Road junction to a new pumping station at Pairc na hAbhainn, and a rising main from this new pumping station to the Athenry Wastewater Treatment Plant. A new western collector sewer will also be constructed from Gort Mhaoilir/Small Raheen Estate to the Athenry Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a separate pipeline from North Gate Street to connect to the Eastern Collector sewer to allow the removal of an existing stormwater overflow at North Gate St. The main pumping station at Caheroyan will also be decommissioned as part of the works.
Works on the project are on track to be completed by the end of 2024. Coffey Construction (I) Ltd are delivering the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann. Uisce Éireann and Galway County Council will continue to update the local community in Athenry as this project progresses.
Uisce Éireann has already invested €5m to increase the capacity of the Athenry Wastewater Treatment Plant to 9,500 Population Equivalent (PE). These works were completed in June 2019.
Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.