Minister Darragh O’Brien visits Leixlip Water Treatment plant to mark significant milestone in upgrading the plant

Uisce Éireann's Managing Director, Niall Gleeson and Fingal County Council's Chief Executive, AnnMarie Farrelly welcomed Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, Chairman of Ervia, Tony Keohane and Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Robert O'Donoghue, to the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant to see first-hand the progress being made on the upgrade of the old water treatment plant. The delivery of the upgrade will safeguard the water supply for homes and businesses in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

About the works

The works started in June 2018 and are being carried out as quickly and as safely as possible whilst maintaining a safe drinking water supply to more than 600,000 people across the GDA. A significant milestone has been reached as 15 filters have been upgraded and are now operational. Each of these filters can process up to 12 mega litres of water per day, that's the equivalent of 5 Olympic sized swimming pools. The work to install an ultra-violet disinfection system will be completed early next year resulting in a safer more secure water supply for homes and businesses served by the plant. Furthermore the risk of any future Boil Water Notices will be greatly reduced.

Uisce Éireann is also delivering a number of other significant projects to further support the water needs of the GDA now and into the future. Uisce Éireann is upgrading the Vartry Water Supply Scheme by building a new treatment plant in Vartry, and upgrading the treated water reservoir at Stillorgan, these upgrades are due to be operational next year.

Strategic link

Uisce Éireann has recently started work on the construction of a strategic link between Srowland and Ballymore Eustace water treatment plants which will help to build resilience in the water distribution network. This project will allow the production of up to an additional 18 mega litres of drinking water per day from Srowland water treatment plant for communities in Kildare and the wider GDA.

Along with our Local Authority partners, Uisce Éireann is also fixing leaks and upgrading the water supply system. As part of our leakage reduction programme, Uisce Éireann has replaced over 100km of water mains in the Greater Dublin Area since 2018, which is the equivalent of two M50s.

Speaking at the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, said, "The upgrade of the old Leixlip Water Treatment Plant demonstrates how Uisce Éireann, working in partnership with Fingal County Council, is delivering infrastructural improvements that are critical for our communities and our economy. This is the second largest water treatment plant in the country and supplies water to more than 600,000 people through a vast network of pipes. The delivery of this project along with a number of other ambitious projects across the GDA will help to support existing and future residential and commercial development."

Speaking about the upgrade works at Leixlip Water Treatment plant and the water supply in the Greater Dublin Area, Niall Gleeson, Managing Director, Uisce Éireann, said, "Delivering upgrades of this magnitude at an operational water treatment plant serving 600,000 people is challenging and the progress made is a testament to the collaboration between Uisce Éireann, Fingal County Council and our contractors Glan Agua. Following the imposition of two Boil Water Notices on the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant last year this upgrade project was expedited. It is one of a portfolio of water projects that we are delivering to safeguard the water supply to homes and businesses right across the GDA. The water supply and demand balance in the GDA remains critical as we use almost every drop of water that is produced. I would like to remind people that treated drinking water is not an unlimited supply so conserve where possible and only use what you need."

Speaking about the upgrades works at Leixlip Water Treatment Plant, AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, said: "I welcome the recent investment by Uisce Éireann, which has enabled the upgrading of the old water treatment plant at Leixlip to be expedited. Our staff operate the plant at Leixlip, under a Service Level Agreement, on behalf of Uisce Éireann. They have done a fantastic job over the past 12 months to keep the second largest water treatment plant in Ireland going while facilitating the upgrade works and dealing with the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Collaboration

Uisce Éireann continues to work at this time with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services. Uisce Éireann would like to remind people to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing.

For more information on this project, view the Leixlip project page.