Irish Water and Kilkenny County Council have officially opened the new wastewater treatment plant in Castlecomer. The new plant was completed as part of a €6 million investment by the utility to upgrade and modernise the wastewater infrastructure in the county.

The opening of this water treatment plant marks yet another milestone in Irish Water’s commitment to cease the practice of discharging deficiently treated sewage into the waterways and seas of Ireland while also providing the capacity for future economic development and population growth.

The new plant in Castlecomer was delivered as part of a €3.1 million project which also included upgrades to the wastewater infrastructure in Stoneyford and Urlingford. The Castlecomer plant has a capacity of 2,500 population equivalent (PE); Stoneyford and Urlingford have capacities of 600 and 1 500 PE, respectively.

Treatment of wastewater at existing plants serving the areas did not meet required environmental standards, resulting in treated wastewater is discharged into the River Barrow and River Nore SAC (Special Area of Conservation).

Irish Water has invested a further €2.6 million to upgrade the wastewater treatment at Freshford, Johnstown and Goresbridge.

This work, completed at the end of last year, has resulted in the long-standing practice of discharging inadequately treated sewage from the three villages into the rivers Nuenna, Goul and Barrow finally being put to rest.

Brian Sheehan, Irish Water’s Head of Asset Delivery, commented:

“There are major deficiencies in the wastewater treatment infrastructure throughout the country, which Irish Water is committed to addressing. Prior to the completion of this project, partially treated wastewater was being discharged from Castlecomer to the River Nore and its tributaries. Untreated stormwater overflows were also discharged to the rivers during periods of high rainfall. The opening of this new plant will end this practice, leading to significant improvement in water quality which will bring benefits for everyone in the county.”

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