Irish Water and Minister Simon Coveney turn the sod in Enniscorthy

Irish Water has marked the official start of the €16.3 million project to upgrade the wastewater treatment facilities in Enniscorthy, an investment which will bring significant environmental and economic benefits to the area.

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Simon Coveney was in Enniscorthy to turn the sod on the project this morning.

Enniscorthy is one of the larger towns around Ireland where there is inadequate treatment of wastewater being discharged into waterways. This project will address these deficiencies and ensure that wastewater is fully treated and is compliant with all licence requirements and environmental regulations before being discharged into the River Slaney.

It will also provide the additional capacity to allow for future economic and population growth in the Enniscorthy area.

The work will involve the upgrade and expansion of the existing Enniscorthy wastewater treatment plant and the decommissioning of the existing Kilagoley wastewater treatment plant along with extensive upgrade work to three pumping stations, construction of a new foul sewer and sewer rehabilitation works.

The project, which is being delivered in partnership with Wexford County Council, will be carried out by the Ward & Burke Group. It is planned to be delivered over a two year period.

Welcoming the start of the project, Minister Coveney commented: “This is a very significant investment in Enniscorthy and I am delighted to be here to turn the sod on a project which will have many benefits for the town and the wider area. This work will lead not only to a big improvement in the quality of water in the River Slaney by ensuring that all water is fully treated before being discharged into the river, but it will also provide the capacity for future residential and commercial growth in the town.”

Michael Tinsley, Infrastructure Portfolio Delivery Manager with Irish Water, commented: “This project will result in a large increase in the wastewater treatment capacity in Enniscorthy. Irish Water is investing €16.3 million to construct a new state-of-the-art treatment plant which is vitally important in protecting the quality of water in the river Slaney.

“By replacing the existing treatment plant, which is operating above capacity, it will also provide the scope needed to facilitate ongoing development in the town into the future.”

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Paddy Kavanagh, said: “This investment by Irish Water in Wexford is very welcome and will clearly be very beneficial not only for the people and businesses of Enniscorthy but for all who use the River Slaney for swimming, fishing and other commercial and recreational activities. It means the town can continue to grow and develop while protecting our waterways and natural environment.”

Work is due to get underway over the coming weeks and, in addition to the upgrade of the treatment plant, will include extensive mechanical and electrical upgrade work to three pumping stations located at the Promenade, St John’s and Spring Valley, including the provision of flood measures at the Promenade pumping station. It will also include construction of a new foul sewer along Esmonde Road to divert flows from Killagoley to the Spring Valley pumping station and sewer rehabilitation work on Spring Valley Road.

The project team will engage with the local community in advance of planned works in their areas and contact details will be provided should they have any queries. The team will also work closely with An Garda Síochána and Wexford County Council Roads Department to manage traffic while the works are underway.