Land identified for new Limerick wastewater treatment facility

A GREENFIELD site for Askeaton’s new sewage system has been identified by Uisce Eireann.

Plans to introduce the scheme in the west Limerick town have taken another major step forward.

Uisce Eireann, formerly Irish Water, has confirmed that the project has moved forward to the final stage where the business case will be finalised.

According to a spokesperson for the utility company, a preferred design option will be finalised for the scheme, and this “will progress through detailed design and statutory approvals such as licensing, planning and environmental.”

Minister of State and Limerick TD Niall Collins says the project to upgrade the systems is now “progressing as a matter of top priority”.

However, in a statement issued to the Limerick Leader, Uisce Eireann declined to put a timeframe on completion of the works.

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“The rate at which a project progresses is dependent on the levels of complexity involved and gaining the required statutory consents. Updates on delivery timelines will be provided as the project progresses,” the firm said in a statement.

Up to now, raw sewage has been entering the River Deel, and on occasion, has flooded out onto the town’s Main Street and footpaths.

It’s meant an embargo on any further development in the area. Fianna Fail councillor Kevin Sheahan said he knows many developers who stand ready to build homes once the sewage system is complete.

The new sewage system is to be built on a greenfield site, with Uisce Eireann recently completing stage two, where engineers took part in a detailed analysis of potential solutions for the scheme.

Mr Collins had convened a meeting between Cllr Sheahan, local election candidate Ger Ward, Askeaton Community Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.