State-of-the-art Stillorgan Reservoir formally opened

The new state-of-the-art covered Stillorgan reservoir was officially opened in a ceremony today.

The €50 million project will accommodate over 200,000 Dubliners with a safe and more secure water supply.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien said at the unveiling that the reservoir was a “critical element in the ongoing modernisation of the water supply for the Greater Dublin Area”.

The new covered reservoir, which can store over 160 million litres of treated drinking water, replaces three open reservoirs that were no longer fit for purpose due to the risk of being contaminated by birds, animals or human activities.

Minister O’Brien said the new facility will safeguard much of south Dublin’s water supply for many years.

“Water has been supplied to generations of Dubliners from this site for over 150 years,” he said.

“The construction of the Vartry scheme, of which the original Stillorgan reservoirs were part, was not only a major feat of engineering for its time but it also represented a visionary plan to bring clean, safe drinking water to the people of Dublin.

“The development of this new reservoir is a continuation of that vision and commitment to securing the water needs of the city and its people.

“This is critical, not only to the health and wellbeing of the population, but also to the development of the city, enabling us to meet our commitments under Housing for All, to create more businesses and attract more investment.

“This represents a huge leap forward in the provision of a more secure and resilient water supply for Dublin. Congratulations to Irish Water and all their partners for delivering this landmark project.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien T.D, speaking at the official opening of Irish Water’s new state-of-the-art covered reservoir in Stillorgan.
Pic : Naoise Culhane

Niall Gleeson, Irish Water chief executive said it is a priority of the company to modernise Ireland’s water supply.

“We all recognise the need to improve our ageing water infrastructure and the completion of this project is another important step along the road to building a secure and sustainable water supply for the people of Dublin for generations to come.

“We would like to thank the local community for their patience and support as we carried out this essential work, as well as our delivery partners in Dublin City Council, Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd and Murphy’s Ireland,” he said.

Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy, said: “This is great news for the people of South Dublin who are supplied with water from this site in Stillorgan.

“We will all benefit from the successful completion of this new reservoir and the wider investment by Irish Water in improving the water supply in the Greater Dublin Area.

“This is a great example of collaboration between Irish Water, Dublin City Council, their Local Authority partners, and everyone involved in the delivery of this project.

“I am delighted to be here on what is an historic day for Stillorgan and all of South Dublin.”

The original Stillorgan Reservoir site comprised three open reservoirs and was one of the last remaining uncovered treated water reservoirs in Europe, where treated drinking water was left exposed to the elements, with consequent risk of contamination.

The construction of the new covered reservoir will eliminate that risk and enable better management of the supply of water to customers.

Construction work began on the upgrade project in 2018 with the draining down of the Gray Reservoir, which had not been fully drained since it was built in the late 1800’s.

The new covered reservoir was then constructed within the footprint of the Gray Reservoir.