BREAKING: Government approves major upgrades to €250m Limerick Waste Water Treatment Plant

MINISTER for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne has announced Government approval of the Preliminary Business Case for an upgraded Waste Water Treatment Plant and associated Bioresource Centre for Limerick city. The project represents a major investment of over €250m, making it one of the largest investments by Uisce Éireann in the mid-west.  

Limerick city’s existing Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) at Bunlicky has been serving Limerick since the early 2000’s. Uisce Éireann has identified the plant as a priority need for upgrade to facilitate the increasing population of the city and its environs.

Minister Browne said:

“As reflected in our new Housing Action Plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, infrastructure is key to meeting our ambitious housing targets. The population of Limerick is projected to grow 50% by 2040, and the upgrade of Bunlicky Wastewater Treatment Plant by Uisce Éireann will play a key role in facilitating the growth of the city and its environs, including the delivery of many more new homes in and around Limerick."

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“Under the revised National Development Plan, a record investment of €12.2 billion is being made in the water sector. The vast majority of this funding will be allocated to Uisce Éireann, to support the delivery of a wide range of projects in our cities and regions. This fantastic new infrastructure for Limerick is a perfect example of this and I look forward to seeing further such positive developments over the lifetime of the NDP.”

Minister of State for Older People and Housing Kieran O’Donnell emphasised: 

“The Bunlicky Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade project represents a major investment in Limerick city, and the mid-west. A new, state-of-the art treatment plant will boost economic activity and employment during construction, and on completion, will provide capacity for further economic and industrial development together with the delivery of housing in Limerick and its environs, underpinning the future of the city as it grows. ”

CEO of Uisce Éireann Niall Gleeson welcomed Government approval and outlined the next steps in this project:

“We welcome the Cabinet’s decision to approve investment for this major upgrade of wastewater infrastructure in Limerick and the wider Mid-West region. Delivery of this project will ensure the area is ready to grow and thrive over the next decade and beyond. Uisce Éireann shares Government ambitions for new housing and is committed to doing its part through investment in strategic infrastructure developments such as this and delivering a modern, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant that uses the best of today’s engineering, sustainability and innovative technologies."

"We have commenced engagement with local residents and stakeholders through information sessions as part of the non statutory consultation process and are now preparing our overall planning application which will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in the coming months.”

Uisce Éireann will proceed to advance a Detailed Business Case and then a Final Business Case. The Final Business Case will include a full project cost, following planning approval and procurement processes. Uisce Éireann is preparing a planning application to be submitted in the coming months. Subject to statutory approvals being achieved without undue delays, construction is expected to commence in 2028.