Upgrade to Blessington Wastewater Treatment Plant successfully completed

20 February 2023

Increased capacity will serve a population equivalent of 9,000.

Nestled beside the picturesque Blessington Lakes and jaw-dropping Wicklow Mountains, Blessington is one of the largest towns in West Wicklow. Against the beautiful backdrop of this historic town, Uisce Éireann working in partnership with Wicklow County Council, prioritised plans to upgrade the Blessington Wastewater Treatment Plant to safeguard the environment and support social and economic development in the area.

The works have now been successfully completed as a result of this significant investment by Uisce Éireann and will increase the capacity of the plant to serve a population equivalent (PE) of up to 9,000 in a town of just over 4,000 people. This will enable future growth and safeguard the environment by ensuring compliance with national and EU legislation.

The project involved the construction of a new primary treatment system including a pump station, upgrades to the existing aeration tanks, and the installation of a new odour control system. Treatment processes at the existing wastewater treatment plant in Blessington have also been upgraded.

Speaking about the project Dawid Wozniak, Regional Lead with Uisce Éireann, said “Uisce Éireann is committed to providing a safe and reliable water supply, protecting the environment and supporting the growth of homes and businesses across Ireland. We are working in partnership with Wicklow County Council on a number of significant projects to continually improve wastewater treatment throughout Wicklow and are delighted to announce the completion of this essential upgrade for homes and businesses in Blessington.”

Dawid added, “The completion of these works will provide Blessington and the surrounding areas with the infrastructure needed to support future growth by increasing the capacity of the plant as well as safeguarding the environment.”

Brian Gleeson, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, welcoming the completion of the project said, “This project will provide significant benefits for the people of Blessington, future-proofing social and economic development for the town for current and future generations. Blessington needs modern utilities to attract new businesses and to facilitate growth. We would especially like to thank the community and businesses for their patience and cooperation as we worked to deliver this vital wastewater improvement project.”

The project was carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Veolia Water Ireland.

This project forms part of Uisce Éireann’s investment plan where works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Uisce Éireann’s business plan. The building, repair and upgrading of Uisce Éireann’s water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, water and sewer network requires a multi-billion-euro investment programme over many years. Uisce Éireann is committed to providing a safe and reliable water supply, protecting the environment and supporting the growth of homes and businesses.