Irish Water has submitted a planning application to progress the upgrade to the Kentstown Wastewater Treatment Plant

Irish Water has submitted a planning application to Meath County Council for permission to upgrade the Kentstown Wastewater Treatment Plant.  If permission is granted the upgrade will ensure the plant is complaint with environmental regulations and reduce the risk of overflows at times of storms and heavy rainfall. The project will benefit the environment as it will improve the treatment of the wastewater at the plant and the investment will reduce the risk of overflows to the nearby River Nanny.

The planned project includes the construction of an inlet screening chamber and stone/grit trap, a new a storm water tank, deep weir chamber, electrical control kiosks and new road of access within the plant.

The proposed upgrade at the Kentstown Wastewater Treatment Plant will ensure that Irish Water is fully compliant with the EU Urban Wastewater Directives. Investing in Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure is a key priority for Irish Water. Between 2014 and 2015, Irish Water invested €166m in Ireland’s wastewater infrastructure, an increase of 22% from 2011 to 2013. From 2016 – 2021, the remaining period of the Irish Water Business Plan, the utility is ramping up investment to spend an average of €326m per year on wastewater infrastructure. The investment in the Kentstown Wastewater Treatment Plant is part of this investment programme.

Commenting on the project Padraig Farrell Capital Programmes Lead, East and Midlands Region said “The proposed upgrade at the Kentstown Wastewater Treatment plant will increase the efficiency of the plant and reduced the risk of overflows at times of heavy rainfall. This investment will benefit the environment as the risk to overflows into the River Nanny will be reduced.”

Irish Water collects wastewater from over 1,000 separate communities connected to the wastewater network and treats around 1,600 million litres of wastewater daily before discharging it back into our rivers, harbours and coastal areas. By 2021, as outlined in the Irish Water Business Plan, we plan to have all discharges to our rivers and seas treated before being released. Our programme of work will include, not only improving capacity to ensure Irish Water can facilitate the growth of the new homes and industry but also protecting our coasts, which has a huge impact on tourism and local businesses.