End in sight for €114m sewer work in Athlone

The largest single investment in Athlone's wastewater infrastructure - the €114 million Main Drainage Project - is now "in its final stages" according to Uisce Éireann.

Work on the project has been underway for close to three years now, with the end of this year previously mentioned at the target date for completion.

In an update, Uisce Éireann said the project "remains on track for commissioning by year-end," but it acknowledged that reinstatement work at the main compound for the project, in the Burgess Park/Golden Island area, would not be carried out until the weather improves in new year.

It also said "works at Parnell Square will continue into the new year to resolve a long-standing sewer network issue," and that this "will be welcome for residents" in that area.

The project involved a major upgrade to the town's sewer network and finally ended the longstanding problem of raw sewage being discharged into the River Shannon in Athlone during times of heavy rainfall.

The upgrade works led to traffic disruption at various stages and also resulted in access to some areas of town, such as the Strand and the Strand car park, being restricted or closed off at times. When the sod was turned to officially mark the start of the work, in April 2023, Uisce Éireann's CEO, Niall Gleeson, described it as "a landmark project for Athlone" and surrounding areas.

"The project itself is one of the largest capital investments by Uisce Éireann to date and will bring numerous benefits to the local community and environment," he commented.

In an update, the utility said: "All connections and the turning of flows to new pipeline around the town have been successfully completed.

"Works at the Golden Island site are also finished, including the construction of a new administration building for the pump station. The realignment of the Civic Amenity Centre access road has also been completed.

"As weather conditions improve, the project team will shift focus to reinstatement works at Golden Island and to restoring Burgess Park and returning it to the local community."

Uisce Éireann noted that the project had "reached several significant milestones" during the course of 2025.

Recapping the year's key developments with the project, it said: "Most notably, the second underwater tunnel beneath the River Shannon was completed, connecting the town’s sewer network from east to west.

"All tunnelling works across the town were finished, and the Strand car park, temporarily closed to facilitate the works, was reinstated and reopened to the public. In addition, Coosan West Pumping Station was completed and brought into operation.

"Redundant pumping stations and sections of the existing sewer network, including combined sewer overflows, were also decommissioned."

In addition to the installation of almost three kilometres of new underground sewer pipes, the project involved the construction of new pumping stations at Golden Island and Coosan West.

The project "will transform Athlone by reducing the risk of sewer flooding in the town, addressing non-compliant sewer overflows into the River Shannon, as well as increasing the capacity of the sewer network enabling future population growth and development in the town," Uisce Éireann added.

An event to mark the completion of the project is expected to be held at some stage in the new year.