€16 million upgrade of Rossadrehid Water Treatment Plant to deliver a more resilient, reliable water supply for communities across the Galtee region

Uisce Éireann has today marked the next committed investment to reimagine the water infrastructure across county Tipperary with a €16 million upgrade of the Rossadrehid Water Treatment Plant. The construction works which are now underway will provide a safer, more reliable water supply for homes and businesses across the Galtee region.  

Originating in the Galtee Mountains, the Muskry river, is the dutiful source of water for the plant at Rossadrehid. It sits high above the lush Glen of Aherlow, and the water it produces serves thousands of homes and businesses across the Galtee region, stretching west to Emly and east as far as Cashel town, and many of the villages in between. 

The Galtee water supply is vulnerable and has recognised challenges. Consistent delivery of a reliable water supply can be testing due to the age of the water treatment plant and a vast water network which spans over 300km with treated water travelling up hill and down dale to arrive at peoples taps. Uisce Eireann recognising these challenges has developed a strategic plan to ensure investment to upgrade the infrastructure can provide our customers with a consistent high-quality water supply they can count on.  

The upgrade works at the plant are a critical element of this investment to provide a more robust and advanced treatment of water, which will pave the way for a more reliable supply across the Galtee region.  

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD, welcomed the €16 million investment in west Tipperary. 

“This major upgrade of the water treatment plant will make a real difference to daily life for people in the Galtee region of west Tipperary by safeguarding public health, enhancing water quality, and ensuring a dependable supply of water for homes, schools, community services, and local businesses. 

“It will in the longer term, help to unlock opportunities for housing, business expansion, and wider community development. 

“As a Government we have invested record levels in much-needed water infrastructure. Crucially, this type of investment reflects a commitment to providing a safe and reliable water supply for current and future generations while at the same time unlocking services for the wider Galtee region.”  

Commenting on the upgrade, Uisce Éireann Programme Manager Conor Williams said:  

“This upgrade represents another major investment in the region’s water infrastructure and a long-term commitment to improving water quality and reliability across Tipperary. The enhanced treatment facilities will improve the drinking water quality for homes and businesses in the area ensuring continued delivery of a safe and reliable water supply.’  

Speaking ahead of the commencement of works, Ailbe Grace, who has been the site caretaker since 1981, and was preceded in the role by his father, who was the caretaker since the plant was built in 1951 welcomed the upgrade:

“I was born and reared in the old house that’s on site here at the plant. When I started working here 45 years ago, I had a good idea of how the site worked before that because I used to give my father a hand when he was working it.  

“These planned improvements will really modernise the plant. The last big upgrade came in 1999 when we upgraded the treated water reservoir from about two hundred thousand gallons to two million gallons, so it will be great to see it upgraded even further.” 

The work will focus on a major upgrade of the on-site filtration processes, delivering a more modern and efficient way to treat water, introducing state-of-the-art technology to control and monitor each step of the process, adding renewable energy technology, and improving the buildings and facilities. 

Glanua Ltd is carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann.  

The Rossadrehid upgrade project is part of Uisce Éireann’s ongoing multimillion euro investment in upgrading the water infrastructure across County Tipperary, including recently completed projects in Nenagh, Thurles, Roscrea, Littleton, Horse & Jockey, Upperchurch, Glengar and Cappawhite; ongoing critical upgrades benefiting the communities of Clonmel, Tipperary Town, Templetouhy, Two Mile Borris, Carrick on Suir, Cahir, Goatenbridge and surrounding areas.  

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.