Works begin on €21.5 million project to upgrade the Tullamore and Birr Water Supply Schemes

At the sod turning to mark the start of upgrade works on the Tullamore and Birr Water Supply Scheme: Councillor Danny Owens, Anna Marie Delaney, CEO Offaly County Council, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy and William McKnight of Irish Water.

Works carried out in partnership with Offaly County Council

Today we hosted a sod-turning event to mark the start of works on a €21.5 million upgrade project on the Tullamore and Birr Water Supply Schemes. 

Once completed, the upgrade works will secure the medium-term future of water supplies for both towns and ensure a reliable supply of high quality drinking water. 

The contract for the design, construction and commissioning of the works was awarded to Murphy Process Engineering earlier this year and works have now commenced. 

The project is expected to be completed in 2020 and will include the construction of three new water treatment plants, one in Tullamore, one in Birr and one at Clonaslee in Co. Laois. 

Local  development

Speaking at the sod-turning event, Cllr. Danny Owens, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council said, ‘This is most welcome news for Co. Offaly and for the 18,000 residents and businesses dependent on this water supply. Once these works are completed, residents and businesses in the area will have a safe and dependable drinking water supply.’

Deputy Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy TD said, ‘This investment by Irish Water, means that the thriving towns of Tullamore and Birr town will have the water infrastructure to support ongoing economic and social development necessary for this part Co. Offaly to grow and prosper.’