Uisce Éireann complete bumper pack of projects in County Louth to enable growth and development

Almost 11 kilometres of new pipeline have been constructed, and a wastewater facility newly upgraded, in key growth areas of Louth as Uisce Éireann mark the completion of eight projects facilitating residential and commercial development in the county.

Critical upgrades to water and wastewater networks across Dundalk and Drogheda, delivered through Uisce Éireann’s national Growth and Development Programme, will enable economic and social development in these communities and support the provision of new housing.

Over 4.4 kilometres of water mains have been upgraded or newly constructed in Blackrock, Castletown and Mell to increase the supply capacity of the network, while 2.5 kilometres of sewer pipelines have been constructed to increase the capacity and operational performance of the wastewater network in South Drogheda, St Helena’s and Greenhills.

Significant upgrades to the wastewater pumping station at Cocklehill, Blackrock have also been recently completed. 

Commenting on the benefits of these upgrades to communities across Louth, Padraig Hanly, Portfolio Manager with Uisce Éireann, said: "The critical upgrades to key water and wastewater infrastructure will ensure a network that is fit for purpose to support sustainable growth and development and enable communities to thrive.

"The size and scale of these upgrades will support existing and future residential and commercial development.

"In addition to enabling growth, wastewater upgrades in areas like The Dale in South Drogheda improve the overall performance of the sewer network, reducing the risk of sewer flooding to homes and businesses. It will also enhance the local environment by reducing the risk of sewer overflows into river systems."

These projects were successfully delivered by GMC Utilities Group. 

The delivery of further 2 kilometres of water main and 600 meters of sewer pipeline in Mount Avenue, Dundalk, were funded through the Growth and Development Programme, as part of Louth County Council’s Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) project.

Essential funding was also provided through the Programme for 2.7km of water main in Mell, North Drogheda, delivered by HISCo (Housing Infrastructure Services Company) on the Port Access Northern Cross Route.

Investment through the Growth and Development Programme will continue in Louth, with planning secured for the Drogheda North Wastewater Project. Construction works on the new wastewater infrastructure will commence in 2025.

Uisce Éireann's Growth and Development Programme is a national programme of targeted investment to increase the capacity of water and wastewater infrastructure to enable social and economic growth and development, including the delivery of essential housing. 

For more information visit the dedicated webpage at www.water.ie/growth. 

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland, a spokesperson said.

"We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment."