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7 December 2018 Go back to News
Works begin on €21.5 million project to upgrade the Tullamore and Birr Water Supply Schemes
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.’
Capital spending
Commenting on the project, William McKnight, Infrastructure Programme Regional Lead at Irish Water said, ‘The works that are being carried out in Tullamore and Birr by Irish Water in partnership with Offaly County Council, will ensure the delivery of high quality drinking water for the most populated areas of Co. Offaly. This is one of a number of investments made by Irish Water to improve water and wastewater infrastructure across the country under its current business plan. The Irish Water Business Plan will see €5.5 billion invested in capital spending on drinking water and wastewater quality and capacity to 2021.'
Projects to build better water services
For more information and latest updates on this project and our national programme of works please visit our Projects and Plans page.