Irish Water, Ireland’s national water utility responsible for providing and developing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, officially opened on Thursday a new state of the art €5 million water treatment facility which will provide a new safe and secure water supply for Arklow Town and its environs. The official opening of the facility marks the completion of the Arklow Water Supply Scheme Project which has been ongoing for the last ten years and has involved a total investment of over €10 million in providing the town with a secure water supply with capacity to allow for future economic and population growth.
In addition to the €10 million invested for the provision of safe, secure drinking water for Arklow, Irish Water has committed to investing over €30 million in a new wastewater treatment plant for the town. Arklow is one of 7 large towns where wastewater is discharged without treatment. Following a period of public consultation, a preferred site for the location of the new plant has been selected and an Environmental Impact Assessment is currently underway. The assessment will take approximately 12 months and will form the basis for a planning application.
Speaking at the official opening, Sean Laffey, Asset Programmes Manager at Irish Water said, ‘Irish Water, in partnership with Wicklow County Council, is delighted to be here today, at the official opening of this state of the art facility. This project has involved an investment of over €10 million and has been ongoing for the last ten years. Here today we can see the results of that investment which will benefit the people of Arklow and surrounding areas for many years to come. Arklow can now depend on a safe and secure water supply. A 60% increase in capacity of the treatment plant will support both future growth in population and business development in Arklow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Wicklow County Council, ArklowMunicipal District Council and AECOM Cradock JV, the contractor responsible for the delivery and operation of the facility. I would also like to extend my thanks to the people of Arklow for their patience as this work was completed.’
