Following a meeting with Tipperary County Council yesterday, Irish water has revealed investment plans for County Tipperary up to 2024. A total of €134 million will be spent in Tipperary between 2014 and 2024. No specific future spend was provided – investment will be an estimated €65 million between 2019 and 2024. Pending the Commission for Regulation of Utilities approval, a further €136m will be also invested beyond 2024.
The company says it has a strategic and targeted approach to infrastructure developments and proper investment is allocated for improving water and wastewater treatment plants, strengthening networks, supporting housing and economic growth, and protecting the environment.
No mention was made of the issues in Thurles waste water system nor are any specific actions planned to address the problems. Irish Water accepts that water restrictions, outages, loss of water pressure, and in some cases, Boil Water Notices were experienced in Tipperary this year. The company has provided an outline of work to be completed by 2024 including replacement of 17km of old mains piping and upgrades at named water treatment plants.
Twenty-one Water Treatment plants in Tipperary have had upgrades of their disinfection systems to date and upgrades at the remaining eight plants will be completed by the end of 2023.
As regards future supplies North Tipperary is included in the Regional Water Resources Plan for the Eastern and Midlands region. The remaining parts of Tipperary will be included in the Regional Water Resources Plan for the south-east which will be published for public consultation in 2023. More details on the plan are available at https://www.water.ie/projects/strategic-plans/national-water-resources/rwrp/
Irish Water are delivering the following projects under the current Capital Investment Plan (2020-2024):
Completed
Water
Ardfinnan Regional Water Supply Scheme – Mechanical & Electrical Works (Ballylooby)
Thurles Regional Water Supply Scheme – Water Treatment Plant
Clonmel Regional Water Supply Scheme
In Progress
Wastewater
Borrisokane Wastewater Treatment Plant Inlet Works, Storm and Sludge Programme – Borrisokane is on site at the moment and on track for completion this year.
Planned
Water
Goatenbridge Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Construction works are expected to commence in 2023
Wastewater
Ballina Wastewater Treatment Plant: Contract is currently in the process of being awarded. Construction works are expected to commence in 2023.
Newport Wastewater Treatment Plant: Contract is currently in the process of being awarded. Construction works are expected to commence in 2023
Limerick-Junction WWTP, Tipperary Inlet Works, Storm & Sludge Programme works at design stage and on track to commence in 2023
Cahir Wastewater Treatment Plant: Construction works are expected to commence in 2023
Fethard Wastewater Treatment Plant: Expected to go for planning in 2023
Nenagh Wastewater Treatment Plant: Upgrade Expected to go for planning in 2023 with construction is expected to commence in 2024
Irish Water are progressing plans for upgrades of Water Treatment Plants in Glenary, Rossadrehid, and Linguan WTP. Assessments are also being carried out for projects for Stooke WTP, Fanure WTP, Glenbeha WTP, Kilcash & Tullohea Water Resource Zone (WRZ), Coal brook/Commons WRZ, and Carrick On Suir.
The National Certificate of Authorisation Programme involved remediation works for smaller wastewater treatment plants serving a population of up to 500 people. Puckane, Newtown and Dromineer WWTPs are currently underway, with Newtown and Puckane due to complete in the coming weeks. Portroe is expected to commence on site later in 2022.
