Project to safeguard the water supply across Kildare and GDA

10 March 2021

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Kildare County Council, continues to progress the Barrow Extension project with over 3km of new watermain already constructed. The project will safeguard the drinking water supply for homes and businesses in Kildare and the wider Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and build resilience in the water distribution network by providing a strategic link between Srowland and Ballymore Eustace water treatment plants. Building resilience in the network is essential to ensure enough water is available to meet daily demand as well as to maintain supply during emergency situations such as drought conditions for customers. Demand for water in the GDA is increasing over time and the introduction of water conservation orders (hosepipe ban) illustrates the pressures on our water resources during periods of drought and high demand.

The Barrow Extension project will provide up to an additional 18 million litres of drinking water per day from Srowland water treatment plant for communities in Kildare and the wider GDA. This is the equivalent of the average daily water consumption of 140,000 people. This project will support future growth and ensure a sustainable, secure and reliable water supply for customers now and into the future.

Working in partnership with David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd, construction works began in September and involves the construction of over 3km of new water mains between Killashee and Naas, via the Rathasker Road; two new pumping stations at Brannockstown and Carnalway; and upgrades to the pipework at Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant and Old Kilcullen Reservoir. The project is scheduled for completion in Q3 2021 and is being delivered in adherence with the current HSE and Government guidance on COVID-19.

On completion of the project, the following areas will be included in the area supplied by Srowland Water Treatment Plant: Caragh, Mylerstown, Carnalway, Ardinode, Newlands, Killashee, Brannockstown, Rathasker, Broadleas and parts of Naas Town. Uisce Éireann continues to engage with local representatives and business stakeholders in relation to this vital project and will continue to provide updates as the works progress.

To further support the water supply in the GDA, Uisce Éireann has replaced almost 100km of water mains in the GDA since 2018 as part of its national Leakage Reduction Programme, the equivalent of two M50s. Uisce Éireann is upgrading the Vartry Water Supply Scheme with the construction of a new treatment plant in Vartry and an upgrade of Stillorgan reservoir. Works are also progressing to upgrade the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant, which supplies over 600,000 customers in Kildare, Dublin and Meath.

Speaking about the Barrow Extension project, John O’Donoghue, Regional Operations Manager for Uisce Éireann, said "Uisce Éireann and our Local Authority partners are working together to safeguard the water supply for homes and businesses in Kildare and the wider Greater Dublin Area. The Barrow Extension Project will facilitate an increase of up to18 million litres of drinking water per day in Kildare and the GDA which is critical for the provision of a secure, reliable and sustainable long-term water supply for the region for future decades and generations. We will continue to engage with stakeholders as we progress this vital project."

Uisce Éireann continues to work with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services. We would like to remind the public to continue to adhere to public health advice on hand washing and hygiene regarding Covid-19.