Barrow, Nore, Suir estuary set to become free of raw sewage as works commence in 2021

13 October 2020

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wexford County Council this week confirmed that the works to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the Barrow, Nore, Suir estuary will commence in 2021. The utility had previously acquired the land and has subsequently been granted planning permission for the new facility, which will be located at Arthurstown.

The treatment plant will also serve the areas of Ballyhack and Duncannon providing wastewater treatment for the equivalent of almost 4,000 people. The project is due to be completed in 2023 and will support social and economic development in these areas of county Wexford.

Speaking about the works, Wastewater Regional delivery Lead for Uisce Éireann, Séamus Glynn said;

“These works are hugely significant for the Barrow, Nore, Suir Estuary and for the areas of Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon. This €12.8 million project is needed to eliminate untreated wastewater that is being discharged directly into the receiving waters. The proposed new wastewater treatment plant will bring many benefits to the localities in terms of health, integrity of the environment and improved water quality for all. The works, once complete, will eliminate the equivalent of 1,500 wheelie bins of raw sewage being discharged into the estuary per day. Additionally, we have also secured land and planning permission for works to begin in Kilmore Quay which will see the elimination of the discharge of raw sewage there by 2023. These works are proposed to begin by the end of 2021. We thank the communities for their cooperation as we look ahead to the works commencing.”

Wexford County Council’s Director of Services, Eamonn Hore was equally positive about the announcement;

“The announcement today that the much-anticipated wastewater treatment projects for Duncannon, Arthurstown and Ballyhack will commence in 2021 is most welcome. A huge amount of work has gone on to date involving Uisce Éireann, Wexford County Council and the local people to bring this project to this stage. We all look forward to the major benefits to the environment, economy and tourism which these developments will bring”

Progress

Since 2014, Uisce Éireann has built new wastewater infrastructure for 16 towns and villages across the country, ending the discharge of raw sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas; the equivalent of 100,000 people’s worth, every day.

Across the bay in Dunmore East and all along the Waterford coastline, the practice of discharging raw sewage into the waterways has been eliminated since 2017. The investment of €24 million delivered seven new wastewater treatment plants in towns and villages across Co. Waterford including Ardmore, Ballyduff/Kilmeadan, Cappoquin, Dunmore East, Kilmacthomas, Stradbally and Tallow.

Half of the raw sewage entering waterways in Ireland has now been eliminated and there is a plan to remove the remainder in the years to come.

Find out more about our work to end the discharge of raw sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas on our Eliminating Raw Sewage page.