Red Letter Day for Rathvilly as upgrade works commence on water treatment plant

17 June 2022

Carlow, one of Ireland’s gems, nestled in the heart of the Southeast. With its rolling hills and majestic water ways, Carlow is already a fantastic place to live, work and visit. And as the county develops and grows, so too does demand for key infrastructure to support that growth.

Today, Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Carlow County Council is proud to announce that works have commenced on the long-awaited upgrade of the Rathvilly Water Treatment Plant. This project will benefit over 15,0000 customers, ensuring the delivery of a clean, safe drinking water source for those who live and visit the Dolmen County.

The Carlow North Regional Water Supply is included on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Remedial Action List (RAL), which identifies water supplies that needs improvement. Currently, there is inadequate protection against microbiological failure and the potential formation of elevated concentrations of Trihalomethanes (THMs).

The completed upgrades will modernise and improve the water treatment process at the plant, ensuring raw water is treated to the water quality standards as required by the European Union Council Directive and Regulations. Glan Agua Limited is delivering the project on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

Speaking about the project, Uisce Éireann’s Infrastructure Delivery Project Manager, Hugh Kennedy said;

“This is a significant day for Carlow, as we embark on a journey to deliver a new water treatment plant that will benefit 15,000 people. This project has been long-awaited but finally we have boots on the ground and are eager to get going. Providing a safe, clean, and reliable water supply is Uisce Éireann’s number one priority and this investment clearly illustrates our commitment in achieving that. The works will take about 2 years to complete but the project itself will benefit many generations to come.”

Kathleen Holohan, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council also welcomed the news;

“The commencement of the upgrade works at Rathvilly Water Treatment Plant is greatly welcomed. This is the first major investment in Carlow’s largest Water Treatment Plant in the County since it was first opened in the late 1980s. Rathvilly WTP supplies potable drinking water to most of North County Carlow, including Carlow Town. It also supplies parts of Wicklow and Kildare. These upgrade works will ensure the continued supply of safe drinking water to all customers and businesses for many more years, safeguarding the continued economic development of the region.”

Brian O’Farrell, CEO of Carlow Chamber of Commerce understands the importance of a robust water supply for business.

“County Carlow Chamber of Commerce welcome the news on the commencement of works on the Rathvilly water treatment plant. We continue to see growing demands on the infrastructure right across the county from commercial and domestic users, and the investment in the upgrading of this facility will bring a wide range of benefits to the local community, not only in terms of security of supply but also regarding sustainability and further environmental benefits for the area now and into the future.”

Uisce Éireann’s Regional Operations Lead, James O’Toole said;

“We are delighted to be announcing the works commencement today. Rathvilly is a crucial piece of infrastructure for Carlow and once complete will ensure that we are not only producing water of the highest quality, but doing so in a more efficient way. This project will benefit county Carlow for decades to come.”

The announcement of the works progressing was timely for newly elected Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, Brian O’Donoghue who happens to be a proud Rathvilly man.

“I am delighted with the achievements of Uisce Éireann and Carlow County Council working together to bring forward these much-needed upgrade works to the fore”

No one knows the workings of the Rathvilly Water Treatment Plant any better than Caretaker, Rory Jackman, who has been operating the plant since it first opened in the 80’s.

“I am looking forward to the modern technology and the improved resilience of the plant to meet customer’s needs.”

Uisce Éireann is committed to playing its part in the national drive to provide homes to people who need them by developing and prioritising the delivery of key water service infrastructure.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.

Details of the works

The works will include significant upgrades such as hydrometric flow monitoring on the River Slaney, upgrade works to existing sludge building. New sludge, flocculation, and wash water settlement tanks.

There will also be upgrades to the chemical storage and dosing, aluminium sulphate storage and dosing and an enhanced coagulation upgrade. An upgrade to the filters to dual media will be carried out, as well as sludge dewatering and sludge transfer system. Replacements of the High Lift Pumps and of existing ICA equipment and SCADA system will also take place.