Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy

(Galway Metropolitan Area, Athenry, and Moycullen)

The economic success of the Galway Metropolitan Area and surrounding areas under the National Spatial Strategy has led to very significant growth in these areas. As a result, the wastewater infrastructure is challenged to keep pace with this growth and the increased demand for new serviced land for housing, commercial development, and industry. The Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy aims to deliver a sustainable drainage strategy that will protect public health, safeguard our environment, and facilitate growth to 2080.

Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy infographic

The Strategy

The Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy will consider the capacity of existing wastewater infrastructure and will identify options for upgrading and building new wastewater infrastructure up to 2080. The strategy will include an analysis of the existing wastewater infrastructure along with data gathering, population and economic growth assessments, strategic environmental assessment, and consultation with interested stakeholders to identify medium and long-term solutions to the wastewater needs of the region. The strategy will be consistent with statutory obligations and regulatory drivers designed to meet both national and international environmental objectives outlined in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Urban Wastewater Treatment Directives (UWWTD).

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Galway Wastewater Strategy (GWS) study area map

The Study Area

The Galway Wastewater Strategy (GWS) study area comprises the Galway Metropolitan Area, Athenry, and Moycullen.

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The Need for the Study

The Greater Galway Area faces several challenges in relation to wastewater collection and treatment, including:

  • Increase in population
  • Current compliance challenges at a number of wastewater treatment plants and sewerage networks in the study area

Wastewater treatment capacity requirements to deal with current and future loads from:

  • The study area 
  • Pressures on the receiving waters from wastewater discharges within the study area
  • Effects of climate change

The strategy will incorporate the needs of stakeholders, support economic growth, allow for climate change, meet the demand of a growing population, and protect the environment.

Galway Wastewater Strategy (GWS) study area map with figure bubbles

The Benefits of the Study

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Development of a wastewater strategy for the study area consistent with the EU Water Framework Directive and Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

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Outline the requirements for wastewater drainage and treatment capacity capable of meeting the demands of the study area in the context of current Development Plans, the National Planning Framework, the RSES 2020 and longer-term development potential of the area up to year 2080.

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Identification of alternative solutions for effective management of wastewater to protect and enhance the environment, and support social and economic growth aligning with Uisce Éireann (UÉ) Water Services Strategic Plan and the Government of Ireland Water Services Policy Statement (WSPS).

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Evaluation of alternative solutions and identification of the optimum wastewater drainage solutions having regard to whole-life cost and environmental performance

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Identification of solutions for implementing the recommendations of the Wastewater Strategy, together with the prioritisation of such implementation projects

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To develop an adaptable strategy where outcomes are expected to be linked to volatile influences like climate and population change and to confirm that strategy will achieve performance indicators and outcomes at least cost

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Establish a positive connection with the public and inspire confidence in UÉ as trustworthy guardians of water and wastewater services.

Contact us

Post: Uisce Éireann, Galway Wastewater Strategy, 1 Galway Business Park, Upper Newcastle Road, Dangan, Galway, H91 A3EF

Email: gws@water.ie

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A diagram for the roadmap for the Galway Wastewater Strategy from 2023 to 2025

Next Steps: Consultation 2

Following the conclusion of Consultation 1, Uisce Éireann will review and consider feedback received from stakeholders. In 2025, the draft Galway Wastewater Strategy will be published, and an eight-week public consultation will be undertaken, before being reviewed and the final strategy will be published in late 2025.