Greater Dublin Drainage Project

Uisce Éireann’s plan to unlock growth, safeguard the environment and facilitate housing in the GDA.

Project Overview

The Greater Dublin Drainage (GDD) Project is one of the largest and most critical wastewater infrastructure projects in Ireland’s history. It will protect public health, safeguard our environment, and support sustainable growth to 2050 and beyond.

This essential national infrastructure project includes the development of a new regional wastewater treatment facility, alongside associated infrastructure, to serve north Dublin and parts of the surrounding counties of Kildare and Meath. The GDD Project was granted planning permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála in July 2025.

The Greater Dublin Drainage (GDD) project is identified under Project Ireland 2040 and   the National Development Plan as essential national infrastructure to support sustainable growth and housing delivery in the Greater Dublin Area. Uisce Éireann is now moving at pace to deliver.

Preparatory works on the project are already underway ahead of the main construction   works which will begin later this year with construction on track for completion in 2032.

Once operational, GDD will provide wastewater treatment capacity for the equivalent of 500,000 people, supporting housing delivery for up to 185,000 homes, while reducing pressure on existing treatment plants and protecting coastal waters in line  with national and EU environmental standards.

Location
Dublin
Status
Planned
Type
Wastewater
Greater Dublin Drainage Infographic

The Project

To meet the needs of our growing population, the GDD project solution consists of:

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A new regional wastewater treatment facility and sludge hub centre on a 30 hectare site at Clonshagh (Clonshaugh)

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An underground orbital sewer from Blanchardstown to Clonshagh (Clonshaugh), including a new pumping station at Abbotstown

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A sewer to divert part of the North Fringe Sewer to the new treatment facility

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An outfall pipe from the wastewater treatment facility discharging the treated water to the Irish Sea

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A regional biosolids storage facility located at Newtown/Kilshane, Dublin 11

GGD Project solution map - 2018

Why we need the GDD

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Adequate wastewater collection and treatment capacity in the Greater Dublin Area is vital to social and economic growth including provision for new housing and protecting public health and the environment.

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As our population and economy grows, so too does the volume of wastewater. The amount of wastewater generated in greater Dublin is projected to increase by over 50% in the period to 2050

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Record growth in the wastewater collected in the GDA Catchment.

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Growth over the 2023/2024 exceeding all previous projections.

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Existing treatment facilities are operating near or above capacity.

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49% of all Ireland’s wastewater is treated in the GDA and 40% at Ringsend WWTP.

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Volume of wastewater projected to increase by at least 20% by 2031.

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Volume of wastewater in the Greater Dublin Area is projected to increase by 50% by 2050.

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By 2028 Uisce Éireann will be unable to grant new connections to the wastewater network in major parts of the Greater Dublin Area.

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Delays to the delivery of Greater Dublin Drainage Project will severely constrain growth and development, including housing, in the GDA, with serious consequences for current and future generations.

GDD catchment area infographic map

GDD will provide 500,000 PE within the Greater Dublin Area catchment. This will release critical treatment and network capacity in other parts of the Ringsend Catchment.

Project Benefits

GDD is critical to supporting needs of growing population and economy

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Safeguard public health

The project is one example of Uisce Éireann’s critical ongoing work to ensure that the wastewater generated every day in our homes, schools, and workplaces continues to receive the proper treatment – safeguarding public health and enabling our communities to thrive.

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Protect our environment

The project is key to unlocking the wastewater capacity constraints within the Greater Dublin Area, helping Ireland meet national and EU environmental standards by protecting our environment and ensuring cleaner water for fish, wildlife, and everyone who uses Dublin Bay.

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Support the demand for new housing

Once operational, the GDD will have the capacity to provide wastewater treatment for the equivalent of half a million people living and working in this area and will support housing delivery for up to approximately 185,000 homes.

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Meet the needs of key growth areas in the Greater Dublin Area

It will provide the wastewater treatment and network capacity required in the medium and long term in areas including Leixlip, Blanchardstown, Clonee, Dunboyne, Ashbourne, and Ratoath.

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Enable economic growth

Delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure and services underpin Project Ireland 2040 and are the backbone to supporting sustainable development and economic growth.

Next Steps

Preparatory activities on the Greater Dublin Drainage Project are now underway, ahead of the preliminary construction works which are planned for later this year. The main construction works for the project are set to commence in 2026 – change to 2028, and the project is expected to be commissioned in 2032. All works will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption. Uisce Éireann has appointed a dedicated Community Liaison Officer (CLO) who will be engaging directly with impacted communities and stakeholders as the project progresses.

Further information

If you have a question or wish to register for updates on the project, please email the project team at greaterdublindrainage@water.ie.

To read the latest project newsletter click here.

For Frequently Asked Questions, click here.

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