A GREAT DAY FOR US: Uisce Éireann's €19m upgrade of waste water treatment schemes welcomed

Usice Éireann has announced that work is to commence on the €19m upgrade for the Newport and Ballina waste water treatment schemes.

These €19m new infrastructure projects will eliminate the discharge of poorly treated wastewater into the receiving waters, resulting in improved water quality.

The two projects combined will serve a population equivalent of 11,600 and will accommodate future population growth of the surrounding areas.

The announcement has been welcomed by local representatives.

“This is a great day for us,” said Cllr Phyll Bugler.

The upgrade was also welcomed by Deputy Alan Kelly, who said that the work was “so badly needed”.

Local councillor Ms Bugler said that both herself and the local anglers had “worked hard” with Irish Water to explain how effluent was flowing into the Shannon. “I want to thank the local anglers. They were fantastic throughout and they explained the problem.”

“I am glad the Minister sanctioned the upgrade,” she said. Cllr Bugler said that the current plant had capacity for 4,000 houses, but the upgrade would give it capacity for 8,000.

“It will give us more of a chance to develop,” she said.

The Fine Gael councillor pointed out that there were a number of houses that needed to connect to the system so that zero pollution was going into the river.

She thanked the residents who had not made any issue out of the development of the Ballina plant.

“There was no opposition to the Ballina plant,” she said.

Cllr Bugler also thanked the Tipperary County Council officials who had worked with them on getting the upgrade.

Newport’s Cllr Fiona Bonfield said: “This €19 million investment is great news for both the towns of Ballina and Newport, and will ensure continued growth for the forseeable future.

“Both upgrades will also serve the population with improved water quality.

“We have been a long time waiting for works to commence on both schemes , but today is a good day and we look forward to the completion of both projects in 2024,” Cllr Bonfield commented.

“I’m delighted that works on this have begun as it’s a critical piece of infrastructure that myself and Cllr Fiona Bonfield have been fighting for for years. Both Ballina and Newport are hugely expanding towns and great places to live and work. Now their development can be pushed forward in a considered way,” said Deputy Kelly.

He thanked Tipperary County Council and Uisce Éireann for all their work on the projects.

Seamus Glynn, programme manager with Uisce Éireann, said that these projects were another example of Uisce Éireann’s commitment to providing quality water and wastewater services for Tipperary.

“We are delighted to have commenced these works to deliver these important projects for the communities in Ballina and Newport.

“When complete, these two projects will benefit the county for decades to come. We would like to thank the local community for their support while we continue to carry out these important works. Uisce Éireann has and will continue to invest in water and wastewater infrastructure across the Premier County,” he said.

Works on both upgrade projects are due to be substantially complete by the end of 2024 with Ward and Burke carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

“We are thrilled to be working with our colleagues in Tipperary County Council, Ward and Burke and most importantly the people of Ballina and Newport to deliver these vital upgrades of waste water infrastructure,” said Mr Glynn.