Irish Water has been granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála to build the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Project will result in significant improvements to water quality in Arklow by ending the current practice of the discharge of raw sewage directly into the Avoca River. With over 15,000 people set to be connected to the new treatment plant on completion, the project is important in terms of protecting the environment, facilitating economic development and providing for a growing population.
The project will provide wastewater treatment through the development of a new 36,000 PE (population equivalent) wastewater treatment plant at the Old Wallboard Factory, North Quay, Ferrybank, Arklow.
The project will also include the construction of two interceptor pipelines (along the North and South Quay) to bring untreated wastewater to the proposed treatment plant, as well as a marine outfall pipe to safely discharge the treated wastewater effluent into the Irish Sea.
Eliminating the discharge of raw sewage into the River Avoca is a top priority
John Joyce, Infrastructure Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water, said:
“We welcome the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for the proposed Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant. Since Irish Water took over the responsibility for water and wastewater services in January 2014, addressing the need to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the River Avoca has been a top priority.”
The proposed new WwTP will have huge benefits for the residents and businesses in Arklow and the tourists that visit the area as it will improve the water quality in the River Avoca and enable future economic growth in the area. This project is critical in safeguarding the wastewater system in Arklow for the future.”
Irish Water is currently in the process of tendering the works to enable the appointment of a contractor. It is planned that works will commence in Autumn 2020. The project will take approximately three years to construct.
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