Uisce Éireann confirms Kildare as part of plan for 'largest water project in Irish history'

Uisce Éireann has announced plans to lodge a planning application seeking permission for a new water supply project in the eastern and midland regions of the country issuing a major boost for residents of Kildare. 

The State utility says the project, if approved, will be the largest-ever water project in Irish history with capacity to support the water supply needs of up to 50% of the State's population. 

Subject to planning, Uisce Éireann says it hopes to start construction in 2028 and to be completed within five years. The project is expected to cost between €4.58 billion and €5.96 billion. 

The project will provide a resilient supply as the current water supply in the midlands and eastern regions of the country has faced huge challenges recently with an over-reliance on just one source to supply to over 1.7 million people.

Kildare will be one of the main beneficiaries along with Dublin, Meath and Wicklow as they will be provided with a resilient, safe, secure water supply as a result of the project.

Under the plan, it is proposed that water from the river Shannon will be treated near Birdhill, County Tipperary and that it will  then be piped 170km through counties Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to a termination point reservoir at Peamount in County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area water distribution network.

Uisce Eireann says it will formally submit the planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála next week. This application will consist of over 500 documents including a Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application and Compulsory Purchase Order application. 

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The project will create a treated water supply ‘spine’ across the country providing infrastructure which will serve communities along the route in Tipperary, Offaly, and Westmeath.

In addition, supplies currently serving Dublin will be enabled to be redirected back to Kildare as well as Louth, Meath, Carlow and Wicklow which will provide security of supply to homes and businesses supporting growth and promoting regional development.

Uisce Éireann have announced that the project, if approved, will employ more that one thousand people directly as well as a significant associated spend on local supplier goods and services.

The utility is also proposing a bespoke Community Benefit Scheme as part of the Water Supply Project, to support communities that will host construction activities and permanent infrastructure. This includes a multi-million euro Community Gain Investment Fund.

Extensive public consultation has taken place to-date and further consultation will be carried out over the coming weeks and months with a dedicated project Community Liaison Officer visiting impacted communities to meet with local stakeholders and sharing further information on the project.

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Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers TD said: "The submission of this planning application for the Water Supply Project to An Coimisiún Pleanála is a major milestone that will unlock housing in the Eastern and Midlands Region."

He continued: "This project is a vital piece of infrastructure to support Ireland’s development, not alone in the delivery of new homes for young people, families and workers in our economy, but to sustain businesses and communities right through the Midlands and Eastern region of our country."

Maria O’Dwyer, Infrastructure Delivery Director at Uisce Éireann (pictured below) added: "The growing water supply deficit and lack of supply resilience in the Eastern & Midlands Region is simply not sustainable. It is estimated 34% more water will be needed by 2044 in the Greater Dublin Area."

"This project is critical to enable us to support housing delivery and is backed by the Government’s continued funding commitment. Over the coming months we will continue engage with potential contractors and progress the procurement process so that works can be mobilised as quickly and efficiently as possible”.

The Water Supply Project proposes to abstract water from the Parteen Basin on the Lower River Shannon, utilising a maximum of 2% of it's long-term average flow.