Uisce Éireann is preparing to complete the €23 million Clonmel Water Supply Upgrade Project in the coming weeks – the water company says homes, businesses and communities across Clonmel will soon benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.

The project is now in the final commissioning phase - as part of the testing and commissioning the switchover of supply will begin and customers who are currently supplied by Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plant will be connected to the upgraded Monroe Water Treatment Plant.

The major project will strengthen the town's drinking water infrastructure, helping to provide a safer, more reliable and resilient water supply. The project will also maximise the use of the existing Giantsgrave Reservoir, further enhancing security of supply across Clonmel.

The investment was undertaken to address long-standing challenges associated with the Poulavanogue Water Supply Scheme. The Poulavanogue Water Treatment Plant, which was built in the 1950s, has faced increasing challenges in recent years due to ageing infrastructure, limitations in source capacity and water quality risks. These challenges have affected the long-term sustainability and resilience of the supply.

Poulavanogue is also vulnerable to operational shutdowns, during which no water can be produced at the plant, and supplies must be transferred from neighbouring systems to maintain service. The source is exposed to raw water quality risks, including the potential for cryptosporidium and other microbiological issues that cannot be adequately treated at source.

In addition, the available water sources are not sustainable in the long term and do not have the capacity required to meet the needs of Clonmel’s growing population.

The Mountain Road site was also assessed as part of the project and found to be physically unsuitable for the scale of upgrade required to deliver a resilient, future-proof water supply. For these reasons, Poulavanogue is not considered a sustainable long-term source of drinking water for the town.

Instead, the Clonmel Water Supply Upgrade Project provides a sustainable solution for securing the town’s water supply.

Once complete, customers previously supplied by Poulavanogue will receive water from the upgraded Monroe Water Treatment Plant through a modern, more resilient network. The project includes :

an upgrade of Monroe Water Treatment Plant

a new pumping station at Rathronan

the construction of new water mains across Clonmel

network upgrades designed to strengthen security of supply and improve resilience across the wider network.

Speaking about the project, Darragh Hannon, Programme Manager, said:

"Uisce Éireann is committed to providing safe, reliable drinking water, and our major upgrade of Clonmel's drinking water infrastructure is now nearing completion.

"This significant multi-million-euro investment will help provide homes and businesses across Clonmel with a safer, more reliable and resilient water supply for years to come.

"The Poulavanogue supply has faced challenges arising from ageing infrastructure, operational constraints and water quality risks. This project addresses those challenges by connecting the area to a more secure and resilient supply, helping to safeguard water services for the community into the future."

The project forms part of a wider programme of investment across South Tipperary and County Tipperary. Uisce Éireann is investing approximately €215.3 million in water and wastewater infrastructure across the county between 2025 and 2029 to improve water quality, strengthen resilience and support a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Alongside the Clonmel Water Supply Upgrade Project, major upgrades are progressing at Goatenbridge and Rossadrehid Water Treatment Plants, while improvement works continue at Glenary Water Treatment Plant.

Across Tipperary, more than 40km of water mains have been upgraded or are being progressed through Uisce Éireann's Leakage Reduction Programme, helping to reduce bursts, improve resilience and protect supplies for communities.

Recognising the challenges facing water supplies across South Tipperary due to ageing infrastructure, Uisce Éireann has also commenced the Suir Study as part of developing an enduring long-term water supply solution for the region.