Irish Water has today announced that site investigation works will start tomorrow for the €30 million-plus Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant project.

Irish Water is working in partnership with Wicklow County Council and Arup to deliver the project which will end the current practice of discharging untreated wastewater into the Avoca River. The proposed project, which represents an investment of over €30 million by Irish Water, will include:

A new Wastewater Treatment Plant to treat wastewater for a population equivalent of 36,000 at Old Wallboard Factory, North Quay, Ferrybank

Interceptor sewer pipelines along the north and south quays to convey untreated wastewater to the Wastewater Treatment Plant

A marine outfall pipe to safely discharge treated effluent to the Irish Sea

The site investigation works will take approximately 12 weeks to complete and assist in the design of the wastewater treatment plant and the planning application. The project design team have scoped the necessary site investigation works to advance the design of the project, including minor site clearance, site investigation surveys and utility surveys.

Commenting on the project Michael Tinsley, Asset Programmes Manager at Irish Water said:

 “We are pleased to progress with these site investigation works, which will provide us with the necessary information to design the new wastewater treatment plant, sewer network and outfall pipe. This project is vital to address the discharging of untreated wastewater into the River Avoca.”