Uisce Éireann is progressing to the next phase of major upgrades to Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant. The upgrades will ensure the continued delivery of a clean, safe drinking water supply for almost 1 million customers in Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), providing improved water quality, ensuring compliance with current drinking water quality regulations and will safeguard the water supply for current and future generations.
Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant is the largest water treatment plant in Ireland, supplying over 50% of the GDA’s drinking water supply, serving homes and businesses across Dublin and North Kildare.
A €14m programme of works has recently been completed to modernise and improve treatment processes at the plant, ensuring raw water continues to be treated to the highest standards. The works included the upgrade of 10 filters as well as essential upgrades to the filter building, central controls and automation systems which will improve resilience at the Water Treatment Plant. The works were carried out by Glanua Ltd. on behalf of Uisce Éireann. Following on from these significant upgrades, a contract has been signed to commence a further programme of upgrade works, representing an investment of €33m, to ensure the continued supply of safe drinking water to the Greater Dublin Area.
Planned upgrade works include major upgrades to the clarification process, upgrades to the chemical storage and dosing systems and associated electrical, instrumentation, control and automation works.
The upgrade works will continue to progress on site with no impact to customers.
Speaking about the project, Hugh Kennedy, Uisce Éireann said: “We are delighted to have completed the first stage of critical upgrades to Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant. These works are critical to ensure the continued delivery of safe, clean drinking water to homes and businesses in the GDA while ensuring continued compliance with drinking water regulations.
“We are looking forward to commencing the next stage of upgrade works. Delivering upgrades of this magnitude at an operational water treatment plant that serves almost 1 million customers is challenging, but we will continue rise to the challenge of delivering transformative water services that enable communities to thrive.”
Demand for treated water across the Greater Dublin Area has reached record levels this year, putting severe strain on water supplies serving communities in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Meath.
Uisce Éireann has a number of initiatives underway to help manage this demand, including the Leakage Reduction Programme and other conservation measures, as well as ongoing capital upgrades to water infrastructure, of which the Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant upgrades is just one example. The longer term solution is the development of a new water source, from the Lower Shannon, which is being progressed as part of the Water Supply Project Eastern & Midlands Region.
Members of the public can play their part in reducing demand and protecting water supplies by taking some simple steps to conserve water at home and reporting leaks. For leaks on private property, Uisce Éireann has a First Fix Free scheme which can offer a free leak investigation and repair to homeowners, where eligible. For leaks in public areas people can report them directly to Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278. For further information visit www.water.ie/conservation/
Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.