€13 million upgrade of county Tipperary wastewater treatment plant completed

Uisce Éireann has announced the completion of a €13 million upgrade of Fethard Wastewater Treatment Plant, a transformative project that will support housing and sustainable growth in the walled town for years to come while improving water quality in the Clashawley River.

The wastewater upgrade in Fethard included a new inlet works, new stormwater storage tank, new anoxic and aeration tanks, new final settlement tank, new energy-efficient pump sets, additional ancillary works including upgrades to the existing mechanical equipment in the existing treatment plant.

The landscaping plan for the site was designed with key focus on environmental benefits such as the planting of trees including, alder, downey birch, wild cherry, goats willow and rowan trees, native hedgerows such as of hawthorn, holly, blackthorn, and elder, as well as wildflower grasses, resulting in a net biodiversity gain for the site.

Uisce Eireann says the upgrade will bring major benefits to the town, substantially increasing wastewater treatment capacity and delivering enhanced environmental protection, giving the community a strong foundation to grow and thrive.

By upgrading ageing wastewater infrastructure, that originally dates back to the early 1970s, with a modern wastewater treatment plant, capacity has been unlocked from 3,000 to 4,150 population equivalent (PE) which is the equivalent of over 400 new homes.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D commended the completion of this important infrastructure project.

“Investing in modern, resilient wastewater infrastructure is essential to support vibrant, thriving communities. The increased treatment capacity in Fethard can now underpin future housing delivery in the area.

“As  a Government, we continue to invest record levels in much-needed wastewater infrastructure, which is supporting housing delivery across Tipperary, which we know we need to see more of. Crucially, this type of investment reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding the environment for future generations while at the same time unlocking services for Fethard and the surrounding areas.”

Uisce Éireann Programme Manager Angus Hall said: “This project represents a powerful investment in Fethard’s future. As the town continues to grow, our wastewater infrastructure must rise to meet that momentum. This critical investment will not only protect the local environment but will unlock essential capacity to support the building of new homes. It is a vital step in ensuring Fethard can continue to thrive while protecting its natural environment”.

“We are committed to delivering for communities across Tipperary and this project is part of our ongoing multimillion euro investment in reimagining the wastewater infrastructure across the county, including recently completed projects in Newport, Ballina, and Cahir; as well as the major upgrades currently underway in Nenagh, Kilsheelan and Grangemockler, where works recently began on an innovative new wastewater treatment system, which will provide a new nature-based solution to treating wastewater”.