LATEST: North Kilkenny town and environs to receive improved water supply

An Uisce Eireann spokesperson has exclusively revealed to Kilkenny Live that the water body has identified an alternative water supply for the Castlecomer area.

The North Kilkenny town and its surrounds have faced countless water restrictions in recent years due to poor water quality, with businesses and residents all negatively impacted.

"Uisce Éireann can confirm that we have briefed local councillors on the next steps required to secure a safe, reliable and sustainable water supply for the Castlecomer area," a spokesperson for the body said.

"Castlecomer currently draws water from a combination of groundwater sources. These sources no longer have the capacity to meet the community’s needs today and cannot support future growth. As part of our commitment to strengthening water resilience, Uisce Éireann has been progressing.

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"Investigations focused on developing new groundwater sources for Castlecomer. While early investigations showed potential, the volume of water available was ultimately not sufficient to meet the long‑term needs of the area. In parallel, we assessed several alternative options, including links to neighbouring water supply systems," they continued.

"Following this detailed analysis, an interconnection to another water source has been identified as the preferred solution, with the proposed approach being to connect Castlecomer to the Kilkenny City (Troyswood) Water Resource Zone. This option offers the most secure and sustainable long‑term supply for the community.

"Work is now progressing through the next phase of the project lifecycle, including commencing engagement with landowners impacted by the preferred option and the road authority. This will be followed by ground investigations and a submission for planning consent for the associated infrastructure in Q4 2026. Once all necessary approvals are in place, the project will move to tender and then to construction.

"Our priority is to ensure Castlecomer has a reliable water supply that meets current demand, supports future growth and safeguards the community against outages. We will continue to keep councillors, stakeholders and the wider community updated as the project advances," the spokesperson concluded.

There has been significant political pressure to bring this long-running saga to an end.

Previously, speaking to this publication, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick called for an end to the 'ongoing waste of public funds' in the search for alternative water supply solutions for Castlecomer and surrounding areas, urging decision-makers to move forward with a 'practical and proven solution' to extend the Muckalee and Radestown water supply to Castlecomer.

"The solution is staring them (Uisce Eireann) in the face. At the moment, there’s no water supply to build houses in Castlecomer and it can be done within a couple of years with the will," he commented.

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