Waterford Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Bioresource Centre

Uisce Éireann are progressing the delivery of the Waterford City Wastewater treatment plant (WwTP) and bioresources facility upgrade at Belview Port. 

Uisce Éireann is progressing plans to upgrade the existing Waterford City Wastewater Treatment Plant (WwTP) and develop a new Bioresources Regional Centre (BRC) at the existing facility located at Belview Port. 

The Waterford City WWTP serves the Waterford City agglomeration, treating wastewater from homes, businesses, public services, industry and other non-domestic sources across the catchment. Operational since 2010, the plant currently provides preliminary, primary and secondary wastewater treatment, together with sludge treatment facilities. 

The proposed project will upgrade the existing wastewater treatment infrastructure on the existing site footprint and provide a regional bioresource facility to support future growth, improve environmental performance and deliver a sustainable long-term wastewater service for the southeast region.
 

The works involve the upgrade of the existing Waterford City WWTP and the development of a new Bioresources Regional Centre (BRC). The works will include;

• Increasing the treatment capacity of the existing wastewater treatment plant.
• Upgrading the wastewater treatment process to improve performance.
• Upgrading existing infrastructure, including stormwater management facilities and the marine outfall, to support the increased capacity of the plant. 
• Developing a new Bioresources Regional Centre 
• Introducing advanced treatment technology to improve energy recovery, reduce sludge volumes and support the beneficial reuse of treated biosolids in agriculture.

When complete, this project will: 

• Provide the wastewater treatment capacity required to support the future growth and development of Waterford City and the surrounding region.
• The new sludge storage tanks will also eliminate the health and safety risks associated with the existing tanks and will provide a safe working environment for the operations staff.
• Help protect the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation (SAC) through enhanced wastewater treatment performance.
• Improve compliance with current and future Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive requirements, particularly in relation to nutrient removal.
• Contribute to a more efficient, resilient and lower-carbon wastewater service for the wider region.
   

Site investigation works and environmental surveys are currently ongoing.

A planning application is expected to be submitted in 2028.