Green light for ‘critical’ Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region to proceed to next stage of its development

Approval has been given for the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region to proceed to the next stage under the Government’s Infrastructure Guidelines.

This project involves the development of a new source of drinking water with the capacity to supply up to 50% of Ireland’s population across the Eastern and Midlands region. It will be essential in order to support housing and economic growth across the region, including in the Dublin Area, in the decades to come.

Following the lodging of a planning application in December, a Detailed Business Case for the project has now been approved by the Uisce Éireann board and in turn now noted by Government. This paves the way for the procurement and tendering process to progress in order to accelerate the delivery phase for the project.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said, “The Water Supply Project is a vital piece of infrastructure to unlock housing and facilitate growth in the Eastern and Midlands Region. Its delivery is critical to help us achieve the aims of Delivering Homes, Building Communities, our housing action plan. The project, along with Uisce Éireann’s other major infrastructure project, the Greater Dublin Drainage project, reflects significant Government investment in water infrastructure to support housing and development.

“This parallel progression of planning and procurement reflects Government policy to reduce delays, shorten delivery timelines, and ensure that major infrastructure projects are ready to transition quickly from approval to construction.”

Maria O’Dwyer, Uisce Éireann’s Infrastructure Delivery Director, added: “Uisce Éireann welcomes the approval to progress the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region through the next stage of the Infrastructure Guidelines. This project is backed by the Government’s continued funding commitment, and we are committed to playing our part in the delivery of vital strategic infrastructure to support housing delivery.

“This project is achieving milestones at pace and we are taking all possible measures to accelerate delivery as it navigates through the statutory planning process. We will be progressing with the procurement of contractors and other project delivery partners over the coming months, so that, subject to the planning approval, works can be mobilised as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Water supply in the Eastern and Midlands region faces major challenges, notably the over-reliance on a single source (the River Liffey) to supply 1.7 million people. When delivered, this once-in-a-generation project will ensure a sustainable, secure and resilient supply of drinking water to the Eastern and Midlands region to support our growing population and economy, including the increased demand for housing.

The project will provide Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow with a resilient, safe, secure water supply. It will also create a treated water supply ‘spine’ across the country, providing infrastructure with the capacity for future offtakes, to serve communities along the route in Tipperary, Offaly, and Westmeath. In addition, the project will enable supplies currently serving Dublin to be redirected back to Louth, Meath, Kildare, Carlow and Wicklow, which will support growth and promote regional development.

Subject to a successful planning application, Uisce Éireann proposes to start construction in 2028, with completion within five years. Based on a cost estimate of between €4.58 billion and €5.96 billion, the project can deliver in excess of €10 for every €1 of project costs, representing a positive investment for the State.

The Water Supply Project will bring significant socio-economic and environmental benefits for communities in the Eastern & Midlands region. During construction, the project will employ more than 1,000 people directly, with a significant associated spend on local supplier goods and services.

As part of the procurement process, Pre-Qualification Questionnaires are designed to secure the strongest possible market response. This involves inviting interested contractors and consortia to demonstrate their capability and experience in delivering complex, large-scale infrastructure. This approach builds on extensive early engagement with the construction and engineering sector, ensuring market capacity, capability and innovation are aligned with Ireland’s national infrastructure pipeline. It also provides industry with the clarity and certainty needed to plan and mobilise resources, and scale infrastructure.