Uisce Éireann unveils plan for historic water supply project for Eastern and Midlands region
Uisce Éireann has submitted a planning application for Ireland's largest-ever water project, the Water Supply Project Eastern & Midlands Region.
The Strategic Infrastructure Development and Compulsory Purchase Order applications for the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project were submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála, comprising over 500 documents.
The project aims to address significant water supply challenges in the Eastern and Midlands region, currently dependent on a single source for 1.7 million people.
Subject to a successful planning application, Uisce Éireann proposes to start construction in 2028, with completion within five years, with a budget estimate of between €4.58 billion and €5.96 billion.
The project is anticipated to deliver over €10 in benefits for every €1 spent, marking it as a valuable state investment.
The project will enhance water security for Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow, and provide a vital infrastructure backbone across Offaly, Westmeath, and Tipperary.
Additionally, it will redirect supply from Dublin back to areas like Louth and Carlow, supporting regional growth and development.
When completed, it will ensure a sustainable and resilient drinking water supply for the Greater Dublin Area and surrounding regions, supporting population growth, housing demand, and economic development while diversifying water sources to mitigate climate change effects.
During peak construction, the project will employ over 1,000 people and drive local economic growth through spending on goods and services.
A bespoke Community Benefit Scheme, including a multi-million Euro Community Gain Investment Fund, will support local communities along the route, focusing on economic, environmental, and educational initiatives.
Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers TD said: “The submission of this planning application for the Water Supply Project to An Coimisiún Pleanála is a major milestone that will unlock housing in the Eastern and Midlands Region.
"This project is a vital piece of infrastructure to support Ireland’s development, not alone in the delivery of new homes for young people, families and workers in our economy, but to sustain businesses and communities right through the Midlands and Eastern region of our country.”
Speaking about the project, Maria O’Dwyer, Infrastructure Delivery Director at Uisce Éireann said, “The need is clear - the growing water supply deficit and lack of supply resilience in the Eastern & Midlands Region is simply not sustainable. It is estimated 34% more water will be needed by 2044 in the Greater Dublin Area.
"This project is critical to enable us to support housing delivery and is backed by the Government’s continued funding commitment. Over the coming months we will continue to engage with potential contractors and progress the procurement process so that, subject to the planning approval, works can be mobilised as quickly and efficiently as possible”.
The Water Supply Project proposes to abstract water from Parteen Basin, upstream of Parteen Weir on the Lower River Shannon, utilising a maximum of 2% of the long-term average flow at Parteen Basin.
It is proposed that the water will be treated near Birdhill, Co Tipperary and treated water will then be piped 170km through counties Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to a termination point reservoir at Peamount in County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area water distribution network.