Works continue to eliminate raw sewage in Arklow

17 June 2022

Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Wicklow County Council, continues to progress a landmark project which will provide wastewater treatment for the first time in Arklow. The project includes the construction of a new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant and associated pipeline, bringing significant benefits to the local community including environmental protection and improved water quality in the River Avoca for angling, water sports and marine life. It will also act as an enabler for housing and support economic growth and development in the town.

Works continue at an impressive rate with construction already underway on the long sea outfall pipe which will safely discharge the treated wastewater from the town almost a kilometre out to sea. Following months of planning, the new pipeline was recently shipped in three sections, each measuring almost 310m in length, over 1,000km across the open sea from Norway to the Port of Arklow. The sections of pipeline were then tugged carefully and with acute precision towards the harbour by AMS Retriever and assisting tail tug, AMS Husky, before being moored in the North Quay where they were fitted with concrete collars. The new pipeline will be sunk next week, weather permitting, in a pre-excavated trench using specialised equipment and a number of marine vessels. Imagery is included of the arrival of the cargo from Norway with the specialised dredger which will help install the outfall pipe at sea.

In addition Uisce Éireann is delighted to announce that the first phase of construction on the new interceptor sewer pipelines along the North and South quays have been completed which will bring untreated wastewater to the new plant. To minimise the impact on the local community, the majority of this work continues to be carried out using modern trenchless technology (Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) pictured), meaning most of the construction is taking place almost entirely underground without the need for large open excavations. The next phase of tunnelling will progress over the coming months including underneath the River Avoca, where a new sewer will be installed, connecting the North and South Quay wastewater network.

Speaking about the precious cargo, Conor Delaney, Uisce Éireann Project Manager, said “The arrival of the new outfall pipe is a significant milestone in this critically important project. The pipes are moored in the North Quay where they have been fitted with concrete collars and will be sunk next week, weather permitting. The whole exercise took months of planning and has gone extremely smoothly thanks to our contractors, Ward and Burke and Van Oord Ireland. I would also like to sincerely thank Paul Ivory and his crew in Arklow Harbour for their excellent planning and teamwork."

Welcoming this key milestone in the project, Senior Marine Officer with Wicklow County Council, Paul Ivory, said: “It is very exciting that the outfall pipes have finally arrived after months and months of planning. I am delighted to be part of this historic milestone and support the progress of this vital project for Arklow."

“This significant investment by Uisce Éireann will finally ensure that wastewater is treated to optimum standards, meaning a cleaner harbour for the local community to enjoy. The sea outfall, which forms an integral part of the overall project, will help protect the Avoca River and this scenic coastline, and will add to the tourism value of our beautiful town.”

The project, which is being carried out by Ward and Burke Water Limited on behalf of Uisce Éireann, represents an investment of €139 million and includes the development of a new, state of the art, wastewater treatment plant that has been designed to provide an ultimate treatment capacity for a PE (population equivalent) of up to 36,000, at the Old Wallboard Factory site located at Ferrybank in Arklow, two interceptor sewer pipelines (along North and South Quay) to bring untreated wastewater to the proposed plant and a marine sea outfall pipe to safely discharge the treated wastewater effluent to the Irish Sea.

This project marks another major milestone in Uisce Éireann’s work to end the unacceptable practice of discharging untreated sewage into our waterways and sea. More than half of all raw sewage discharges have been eliminated since the establishment of Uisce Éireann and Arklow is the largest remaining town without treatment. The commencement of this project and the progress made throughout 2021 and next means that we are on track to eliminate the vast majority of raw sewage discharges by 2025. For more information, visit the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant section of our website. Uisce Éireann and Wicklow County Council would like to thank the people of Arklow for their continued support and cooperation while we progress this important project.

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.