Improved information, registers and risk assessments
Asset data management systems
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Asset data plays a key role in allowing us to increase our maturity as an asset management organisation. High quality data on asset condition and performance, are essential to improving our decision-making capability. For example, with appropriate information we can deliver planned maintenance in a timely manner reducing the need for reactive repairs.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Communities
Wastewater Capacity Register
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Register that provides an indication of whether there is spare wastewater treatment capacity available in an area. The registers are published on our website annually and inform forward planning activities including the preparation and review of County and City Development Plans. They are prepared using a standardised methodology and are subject to change.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Communities
Link to more information
National programme of water quality monitoring, modelling and assessment
WAP Action Ref
UWW 3
Measure details
Our monitoring, modelling and assessment work helps us identify potential pollution sources and evaluate their impact on the environment. Many of our plans, programmes and projects include the collection of monitoring data and detailed assessment of the impact of assets on the water environment in order to inform appropriate measures and decision-making to ensure compliance with environmental legislation and protect and enhance the environment and public health. This work supports the development of evidence-based solutions and interventions that are cost-effective while ensuring environmental outcomes are achieved.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Human health
Scientific and Technical Services Programme
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Uisce Éireann is currently investing in the development of its scientific services. This includes a national laboratory which has been built in Limerick, deploying a national sampling team with fleet including cold chain management and a Laboratory Information System to store all test data from across Ireland in one place. This lab service will undertake 1.8 million tests a year on samples form locations including abstraction points (surface and ground water), water supplies, wastewater treatment plants and receiving waters in catchments. In a first for Ireland, ALL testing will be accredited, and we are also working to achieve accredited sampling. In this way we provide assurance of the accuracy of the test data so decision makers can have confidence that interventions and investment decisions are based on reliable data.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Communities
Link to more information
National Flow Monitoring and Sampling Programme
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Programme to install composite samplers and flow meters at over 400 WWTPs to facilitate the measurement and monitoring of effluent flow and to allow for the collection of representative effluent samples for laboratory testing. This enables us to make data-driven decisions to help protect and restore water quality.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
Dangerous Substances Effluent Monitoring Programme
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Programme to sample wastewater effluent and analyse it for a suite of potentially hazardous parameters and, where necessary, identify and implement measures to reduce or eliminate these substances in the effluent.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Human health
Bathing Water Quality Assessment
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
We work collaboratively with Beach Managers to ensure that our activities do not compromise the achievement of Good Bathing Water Quality at Designated Bathing Waters. We work proactively with all stakeholders to support improvements in bathing water quality at European, National and local levels. We are actively participating in multiple Bathing Water forums including the European Commission Review of the Bathing Water Directive (via EurEau), the National Bathing Water Expert Group and the Dublin Bay Bathing Water Taskforce.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Human health
Link to more information
Drinking Water Abstraction Risk Assessments
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Assessing the risk from urban wastewater discharges to downstream drinking water abstractions in order to reduce and manage the risk for the protection of human health and the environment.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Human health
- Communities
Shellfish Water Assessment Programme
WAP Action Ref
UWW 11
Measure details
National Programme to undertake Shellfish Water Impact Assessments for wastewater treatment plants that discharge to Designated Shellfish Waters, with a particular focus on 29 wastewater agglomerations that discharge to seven priority shellfish areas.
Detailed assessment work is ongoing on a prioritised basis.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Human health
- Communities
Storm Water Overflow (SWO) Survey and Monitoring Programme
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Programme of surveys to identify and map Storm Water Overflows and assess against discharge licence requirements, and installation of monitors to measure frequency and duration of spills to understand long term performance and inform design of any interventions necessary to protect and restore receiving waterbodies.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
Drainage Area Plan (DAP) Programme
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Programme to map and model wastewater networks in urban areas to understand their condition and performance for current, short term and long term development scenarios; in order to determine the optimum solutions necessary to ensure environmental compliance, resolve sewer flooding issues and cater for growth.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Flood mitigation
- Communities
Wastewater Network RBMP Programme
WAP Action Ref
UWW 3
Measure details
Programme to prepare feasibility studies for 14no. wastewater networks identified as significant pressures in order to identify measures required to address pressures on the receiving water environment.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Communities
Ringsend Wastewater Network Feasibility Studies Programme
WAP Action Ref
UWW 3
Measure details
Programme to prepare feasibility studies for the multiple drainage catchments within the Ringsend agglomeration in order to identify measures required to provide for growth, address flooding issues and address the reasons why the network has been identified as a significant pressure.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Flood mitigation
- Communities
Cork City Wastewater Network Feasibility Studies Programme
WAP Action Ref
UWW 3
Measure details
Programme to prepare feasibility studies for the multiple drainage catchments within the Cork City agglomeration in order to identify measures required to provide for growth, address flooding issues and address the reasons why the network has been identified as a significant pressure and is included in an ECJ case for non-compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Flood mitigation
- Communities
National Telemetry Programme
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
Programme to support our transition to intelligent operations by rolling out a national standardised telemetry system, providing full visibility of our asset and their performance and enabling us to respond swiftly to any changes or threats and manage our operations efficiently; includes monitoring at all WWTPs, pumping stations and key operational points across our wastewater assets.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Communities
Research and innovation
WAP Action Ref
Over-arching measure
Measure details
We are committed to driving research and innovation activities that enable us to be sustainable and to address the many challenges facing us in the delivery of water services. Our approach includes leveraging digital technologies and solutions, investing in innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing, and creating a culture of innovation within our organisation. Some examples include a pilot project to test the use of reed beds to treat wastewater sludge, the recovery of 1.3 tonnes of phosphorus daily at the Ringsend WWTP for re-use as fertiliser, and projects aimed at understanding the fate and impacts of contaminants that can impact human health and the environment such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals.
Multiple benefits
- Water quality
- Climate change adaptation
- Climate change mitigation
- Biodiversity
- Sustainability
- Communities
- Human health