Uisce Éireann launches public consultation for water project

UISCE Éireann has launched a non-statutory consultation for the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region - “a once in a generation project and is the first major ‘new source’ water infrastructure in the region in the last 60 years”.

According to Uisce Eireann it will deliver “a safe, secure, sustainable source of water supply necessary to support the growing population and economy, including the demand for housing”.

The consultation will provide all stakeholders with an opportunity to give feedback on the proposed project until Tuesday, March 4, in advance of Uisce Éireann’s submission of the planning application to An Bord Pleanála.

The Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region proposes to abstract water from Parteen Basin, upstream of Parteen Weir on the Lower River Shannon, utilising a maximum of 2% of the long term average flow at Parteen Basin. It's proposed that the water will be treated near Birdhill, Co. Tipperary and treated water 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.

Director of Infrastructure Delivery at Uisce Éireann, Maria O’Dwyer said: "Water supply in the Eastern and Midlands region faces a number of serious challenges, notably the over-reliance on the River Liffey to supply 1.7 million people in the Greater Dublin Area.

"With forecasts showing that the region will need 34% more water by 2044 than is available today, this combination of a growing water supply deficit and lack of supply resilience is simply not sustainable. The launch of this consultation is another major milestone towards the delivery of this essential infrastructure. We look forward to further engaging with stakeholders, landowners and communities along the route to provide them with more information and an opportunity to provide feedback.”

The Consultation will run from January 7 until March 4 . Further information on the consultation events, webinars, and details on how to make a submission can be found at www.water.ie.