Uisce Éireann’s capital expenditure on critical water and wastewater infrastructure exceeded €1.2 billion last year, delivering improved drinking water quality to customers, reducing wastewater discharges to the environment and building resilience in Irish water supplies.

The water company’s Annual Report 2023, published yesterday, shows a range of key achievements for the organisation including assuming full responsibility for the delivery of all public water services in Ireland, transitioning to a centrally managed national utility.

The report shows that capital investment by Uisce Éireann amounted to €1.289 billion (up from €1.061 billion in 2022) representing an increase of €228m. Of this, 41.2% (€531m) was spent on enhancing the quality of water and wastewater services; 17.8% (€229m) on conservation; and 41% (€528m) on future-proofing water and wastewater treatment plants and networks.

Key highlights for the year include:

• 4,597 connection offers associated with 42,970 housing units
• 1.72 billion litres of drinking water and a 1.26 billion litres of wastewater treated daily
• Compliance of Public Water Supplies with the drinking water microbiological and
• chemical standards in 2022 was 99.7%
• Recognised 51 newly built or upgraded water and wastewater treatment plants
• Recognised 512 km of water main and 122km of sewers laid or rehabilitated

Financial highlights of 2023 include:

• Revenue of €1.560 billion (comprising €1.068 billion Government subvention and €492m in Non-Domestic and New Connection revenue)
• Capital expenditure reached €1.289 billion (on an accruals basis)
• Operating costs (exclusive of bad debts) of €984 million with net assets increasing to €5.579 billion

On January 1, 2023, Irish Water transitioned to Uisce Éireann and became Ireland’s new standalone water utility. A key focus was establishing the supports and processes to enable the smooth transfer of Local Authority Water Services staff, and enabling the successful integration of all employees in the new shared organisation. This ongoing work is vital to fully deliver the benefits of a national utility model with strong local teams delivering in and for communities throughout the country.

Commenting on the report, Niall Gleeson, Uisce Éireann’s CEO stated that the organisation’s strong performance in 2023 was delivered in a year of complex change and challenge.

“During the year we prioritised the investment of over €1.2 billion in Ireland’s critical water and wastewater infrastructure. This level of investment enables us to make essential multi-generational improvements targeted at providing resilient water services, benefiting communities and supporting growth and development across Ireland.”

“Our primary focus continues to be delivering safe, clean and environmentally compliant water and wastewater services through essential projects and ongoing maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure. The Water Supply Project – Eastern and Midlands will enhance resilience and enable us to adapt to the effects of climate change by diversifying water supply sources. It will provide a secure source of supply to 36 additional water zones in Meath, Wicklow, Carlow, Westmeath, Offaly and Tipperary. When combined, the Water Supply Project - Eastern and Midlands Region and the Greater Dublin Drainage project will provide the essential increase in service capacity for the Greater Dublin Area.”

Ringsend WwTW completion "standout success" of 2023

The report describes the completion of the infrastructure upgrades at Ireland’s largest wastewater treatment plant in Ringsend to achieve compliance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive for a population equivalent of 2.1 million as the standout success in 2023.

By the end of 2025, the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant will be able to treat wastewater for a population of some 2.4 million while meeting the required standards and with all remaining ancillary works completed in 2026. Project works were completed at Roscommon and Mallow achieving compliance with the Directive. Works to eliminate raw sewage discharges were completed across 10 sites including Kilmore Quay, Spiddal, Castletownshend, Inchigeelagh, Clarecastle, Liscannor, Kilcar, Kerrykeel, Ahascragh and Burtonport resulting in safer and cleaner water for these populations to enjoy.

Commenting on the financial results, Uisce Éireann’s CFO, Chris McCarthy said:

“Uisce Éireann’s capital investment activities continued to be a significant source of economic stimulus during 2023. In addition, our operating and maintenance programmes continued to provide both direct and indirect employment and other economic benefits across the Irish economy.”

The company’s surplus/profit after tax (PAT) increased to €329m in 2023 (€221m in 2022).The PAT generated by Uisce Éireann reflects the regulatory model which provides for a return on capital for investment. Uisce Éireann's surplus of €329m arises from its regulatory model and is to be reinvested in water and wastewater infrastructure.

Progress against Strategic Objectives - Water Quality

• 10 schemes were removed from the EPA’s Remedial Action List in 2023, however the EPA added a further 9 schemes to the list during the year with a total of 57 supplies remaining on the list at year end.
• Trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed when organic material in treated water reacts with chlorine. We have prioritised investment in the schemes identified in the Court of Justice of the European Union infringement case as at risk from THM exceedances. To date works at 69 of the original 74 public water supplies have been complete, with 5 supplies remaining.
• 55,072 people were removed from Boil Water Notices (BWN) that had been in place for more than 30 days. At the end of 2023 there were 19,109 people impacted by 10 boil water notices which had been in place for more than 30 days.
• 29 sites upgraded under the National Disinfection Programme.
• 9 sites upgraded under the Coagulation, Filtration and Clarification (CFC), Filtration and Sludge Programme.
• 13 water treatment plants were rationalised.
• 9,588 lead services were replaced.
• The level of compliance of Public Water Supplies with the drinking water microbiological and chemical standards in 2022 was in excess of 99% (EPA-published percentage based on 2022 data).

Progress against Strategic Objectives - Wastewater Quality

• Works were completed at 3 sites listed on the European Court of Justice wastewater infringement case - Ringsend, Roscommon and Mallow - during the year. As at the end of 2023, works had been completed on 22 of the 28 named agglomerations.
• 10 agglomeration with no wastewater treatment was connected to a newly constructed or upgraded treatment plant in Kilmore Quay, Spiddal, Castletownshend, Inchigeelagh, Clarecastle, Liscannor, Kilcar, Kerrykeel, Ahascragh and Burtonport
• The number of agglomerations with no wastewater treatment or preliminary treatment only at the end of 2023 is 19.
• 17 agglomerations were removed from the EPA’s priority list of areas for wastewater improvement.
• Works were completed on 8 agglomerations listed in the 2018-2021 River Basin Management Plan (RBMP).

Future Proofing

• Realised 42 new and upgraded wastewater treatment plants. 9 new Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) were completed (Ahascragh WWTP, Burtonport WWTP, Castletownshend WWTP, Inchigeelagh WWTP, Kerrykeel WWTP, Kilcar WWTP, Kilmore Quay Village and Environs WW, Liscannor WWTP, Spiddal WWTP) and 33 Wastewater Treatments plants upgraded.
• 122km sewer were laid (new and rehabilitated).
• Realised 9 new and upgraded water treatment plants. 1 new Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was completed (Gorey) and 8 were upgraded (Achill, Crolly, Wherrew (Ballina), Ballyboden, Lough Forbes, Kinsale, Smear, Skibbereen Regional Phase 4).
• 512km of water mains were laid (new and rehabilitated).