Understanding the largest water project in the state’s history and what it means locally

Uisce Éireann has formally submitted a planning application for the Water Supply Project: Eastern and Midlands Region, a multi-billion euro scheme to pipe treated water from the River Shannon to Dublin and surrounding counties.

READ MORE: Will Fleury stuns in Prague with 100-second TKO to defend OKTAGON heavyweight title

The submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála on Friday, 19 December 2025, includes more than 500 reports and documents and marks the start of the formal planning process for what is described as the largest water infrastructure project in the history of the State.

The project involves a 172-kilometre underground pipeline running through Tipperary, Offaly, Kildare and Dublin. Water would be abstracted from the Parteen Basin on the Lower River Shannon, upstream of Parteen Weir, and treated at a new facility near Birdhill in North Tipperary. 

From there, the treated water would travel eastwards through the northern part of the county, passing areas near Birdhill, Silvermines, Ballycommon, Portroe and Cloughjordan before continuing through Offaly and Kildare to a new reservoir at Peamount, Co Dublin, where it will connect to the Greater Dublin Area network.

Uisce Éireann says the pipeline is needed to secure long-term water supplies for the Greater Dublin Area, where 1.7 million people rely heavily on the River Liffey, which already provides more than 80 per cent of the region’s water. 

The utility says population growth, housing demand and climate change make a new source essential. The project will provide a safe, resilient supply to Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, while also creating infrastructure that could serve communities along the route in Tipperary, Offaly and Westmeath in the future. While around 30 per cent of Dublin’s water is lost through leaks, Uisce Éireann says replacing all pipes is not viable due to their age and the risk of increasing pressure on weak points elsewhere.

Around 500 landowners along the proposed route will be affected. Uisce Éireann seeks parcels of land for temporary or permanent access to build and maintain the pipeline. Compensation, wayleaves and rights of way are offered, but around 25 per cent of landowners are still negotiating and may face compulsory purchase orders.

The project is expected to cost between €4.58 billion and €5.96 billion. Uisce Éireann claims it could deliver more than €10 in benefits for every €1 invested. Peak construction could employ more than 1,000 people and provide opportunities for local suppliers. A Community Benefit Scheme, including a multi-million euro Community Gain Investment Fund developed with local authorities, is planned to support affected communities.

Despite these assurances, the project has generated opposition in North Tipperary and along the Shannon. Councillors from the Nenagh Municipal District said, “We strongly oppose the proposed water supply project, which plans to divert water from the Shannon to Dublin at an estimated cost of up to 10 billion euros. 

This project is an unsustainable misuse of taxpayer’s money, particularly when the Mid West region serving 40% of the country’s population desperately needs investment in its own water and wastewater infrastructure.”

They highlighted constraints on development in towns such as Nenagh, Silvermines, Ballycommon, Portroe and Cloughjordan, where wastewater treatment plants are at or beyond capacity, and said outdated infrastructure has contributed to poor water quality and pollution, particularly in the Nenagh River. 

They also challenged the rationale, writing, “Dublin’s water issue. A management problem not a water shortage. A new 170km pipeline from the Shannon will not address these issues. Dublin’s water mains are at crises point and urgently need replacing.

Other voices from outside Tipperary have echoed these concerns. Former Green Party TD Brian Leddin said, “It’s going to take about a billion litres of water a year from the Shannon River. 

This project is going to add fuel to the growth of Dublin and the east coast. I think we've got to be serious about balanced regional development. We should build homes and industry in the Mid-West, in Shannon, Limerick City, Nenagh and Ennis, and get true balanced development of our country over time.” 

Uisce Éireann maintains the project is essential. Maria O’Dwyer, Infrastructure Delivery Director, said, “The need is clear 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.”

Uisce Éireann has pledged continued engagement with landowners and communities as the planning process progresses.An Coimisiún Pleanála will now review the application in full, including submissions and objections. 

A decision is typically expected within 16 to 18 months of submission, though this may be extended depending on the complexity of environmental assessments and consultation responses.

 If approved, construction is expected to start in 2028 and take up to five years, affecting Tipperary’s landscape, farmland and communities.

READ MORE: Two Johnnies Star Johnny ‘Smacks’ marks first Christmas in hospital with newborn Son JJ