New wastewater treatment plant for County Limerick will support future housing plans

A NEW wastewater treatment plant worth a €21.5 million investment is planned for Hospital. 

The major infrastructure project will significantly enhance the existing wastewater treatment and improve the quality of water in the River Mahore.

The expansion will offer services with capacity for more than double the current population. 

This will allow for housing and business developments. 

Works are expected to be completed in 2028.

Construction will mainly take place around the existing treatment plant, behind Herbertstown GAA grounds, with access from Millfarm Road. Residents may notice increased construction traffic during the works. 

James Browne T.D., Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: “The commencement of this project is very welcome news for the community in Hospital, Limerick. Investment in wastewater infrastructure that provides additional capacity will bring tangible benefits by supporting the existing population and the delivery of new homes and local growth in the area.

“Continued investment in public water services is essential to facilitating housing delivery. That is why in the recent budget and through the National Development Plan we have increased Uisce Éireann’s funding to accelerate the delivery of water infrastructure and support the development of new homes across the country.” 

The works also involve upsizing incoming sewers, removing existing stormwater overflows, and building a new stormwater storage system. 

A new outfall will discharge treated effluent to the River Mahore, while sustainable sludge drying reed beds will reduce energy use and transport movements. Ground-mounted solar panels will also be installed for on-site energy generation. 

Speaking about the project, Uisce Éireann Programme Manager Darran O’Leary said that his is vital for Hospital: “By increasing treatment capacity and introducing sustainable solutions, we’re protecting the local environment and supporting the area’s future growth and development. The new plant will deliver long-term benefits for residents and businesses, ensuring Hospital is well placed to thrive for years to come.” 

Fianna Fáil Minister Niall Collins said that investment in wastewater treatment is central to Government delivering more housing. 

"Uisce Éireann's €21.5 million investment in upgrading the existing wastewater network in Hospital and building a new treatment plant will both improve services for existing homes and enable the delivery of more homes in the area into the future, with the new plant able to provide capacity for more than double the current population of the area.

"This investment, taken with the ongoing public consultation opened by Limerick City and County Council to identify additional residential land to support accelerated housing delivery and the ongoing efforts by Government with our new housing plan, means there is now a significant opportunity to ramp up and deliver residential developments in Hospital and the wider area."