Eliminating raw sewage
Since 2014, we have built new wastewater infrastructure for 21 towns and villages across the country, ending the discharge of raw sewage into the environment. 65% of the raw sewage in Ireland has now been eliminated. We have a plan to remove the rest.
Uisce Éireann is on track to eliminate the majority of raw sewage discharges by the end of 2025.
We are on track to eliminate the vast majority of raw sewage discharges by the end of 2025, with a total investment of over €750 million. This year, we currently have 14 locations under construction across the country. There are plans for the rest, prioritising the areas where it can make the biggest impacts first.
Benefits
When the projects are complete it will bring many benefits to the local communities and tourists, with improved water quality in the rivers, lakes or sea. It will safeguard our health, benefit the local environment and protect marine life. It will also ensure compliance with European regulatory standards.
Eliminating Raw Sewage in Ireland
We are working on projects all across Ireland to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage. View our videos to find out more and how our projects benefit the local community.
Completed Projects
| County | Project | County | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cork | Youghal Wastewater Treatment Plant | Donegal | Saint Johnston Sewerage Scheme |
| Ringaskiddy/ Crosshaven/ Carrigaline Sewerage Scheme | Dublin | Rush Town Wastewater Collection Scheme | |
| Passage West Sewerage Scheme | Galway | Kinvara Sewerage Scheme | |
| Monkstown Sewerage Scheme | Kerry | Ballylongford Sewerage Scheme | |
| Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project | Mayo | Belmullet Sewerage Scheme | |
| Courtmacsherry/ Timoleague Sewerage Scheme | Killala Sewerage Scheme | ||
| Castletownbere Sewerage Scheme | Waterford | Dunmore East Sewerage Scheme | |
| Kilmacsimon Sewerage Scheme | Ardmore Sewerage Scheme | ||
| Donegal | Bundoran Wastewater Treatment Plant | Wexford | Arthurstown, Ballyhack and Duncannon (ABD) Wastewater Treatment Plant |
| Killybegs Sewerage Scheme |
Projects in the pipeline
Associated Campaigns
The works undertaken as part of this programme is embedded in Uisce Éireann’s supports of Clean Coasts Think Before You Flush and Think Before You Pour campaigns. These public awareness programmes raise awareness about the problems that sanitary products, cotton wipes, Fats, Oils and Grease and other items can cause to our marine environment, wildlife and our wastewater systems if they are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink.