Pipeline to help South Westmeath could be delivered alongside Dublin scheme

Parts of South Westmeath could benefit sooner than expected from the planned new pipeline that is to bring water from the Shannon all the way to Dublin - despite a spur from the main pipe to Mullingar not being included in the planning documents submitted this week to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Westmeath County Council chief executive Barry Kehoe told councillors at their December monthly meeting, that on foot of discussions with Uisce Éireann he is optimistic that the connection could be planned and delivered in parallel with the main pipeline.

Under the proposed approach, planning for the Mullingar link could begin as early as 2026, with the shorter spur potentially completed in time to coincide with the opening of the main Shannon–Dublin water line.

“Like yourselves, we'd have preferred to see the spur to Mullingar included in the planning documents that are going to the board. But that just wasn't feasible members, in fairness, and we did explore that with Uisce Éireann,” he stated.

However, he stressed, this did not mean Westmeath would be left behind.

“What we would hope is that both schemes can be provided together,” he said, adding that once the main line is completed, Westmeath would be ready to take water into the area.

The pipeline would supplement the existing Mullingar Regional Supply, sourced from Lough Owel, which serves 50,000 customers in Mullingar and surrounding areas including Ballymore, Moate, Tyrrellspass, Kilbeggan and Horseleap. A water conservation order was in place for that supply for five months this year.

Uisce Eireann has previously indicated that Athlone is not intended to connect to the Shannon pipeline as it believes there is sufficient capacity within this area to meet the town’s future water needs.

Concerns over the future of the spur to Mulllingar was raised by Cllr Tom Farrell, who expressed concern that Westmeath could lose out if the project proceeds as a “supply spine” with future off-takes only envisaged.

Cllr Denis Leonard seconded the concerns, saying there had been limited consultation with the council and no firm commitment on a Westmeath spur.

Cathaoirleach Aoife Davitt said it made sense to her that the Mullingar spur should have been included on the recently published map of the route, particularly after the prolonged hosepipe ban imposed in Westmeath last summer.

Mr Kehoe said the council would continue to press Uisce Éireann to ensure the Mullingar spur is delivered at the same time as the main scheme, noting the vulnerability of Lough Owel and the importance of securing a resilient water supply for Mullingar and surrounding areas.

Uisce Éireann has said the project will provide Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow with a resilient, safe, secure water supply.

“It will also create a treated water supply ‘spine’ across the country, providing infrastructure with the capacity for future offtakes to serve communities along the route in Tipperary, Offaly, and Westmeath,” it said.

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. Based on this cost estimate, the project can deliver in excess of €10 for every €1 of project costs, representing a positive investment for the State.

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 Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area water distribution network.