Uisce Éireann marks completion of €13 million Athenry Sewerage Scheme upgrades
The splendour of the surrounding fields has long since been immortalised in song, but the waterways of Athenry are now just as worthy of celebration after the completion of extensive upgrades to the town’s sewerage network.
Uisce Éireann marked the completion of the network upgrades on Friday last at an event attended by local dignitaries, local anglers and members of the project team. The €13 million investment involved extensive upgrades to the wastewater network infrastructure in Athenry, reducing the risk of sewer flooding and addressing non-compliant sewer overflows into the River Clarin.
The upgrades have improved the capacity of the sewer network, creating breathing space for projected population growth in the town and its surrounds. The extra capacity will also enable the economic expansion of Athenry to continue apace in the coming years.
The works have ensured that the treatment of wastewater is fully compliant with EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directives and Wastewater Discharge License Emission Limit Values, and has eliminated all non-compliant combined sewer overflows within the area.
Among those in attendance on Friday morning to mark the completion of the project were Cllr Albert Dolan (Cathaoirleach, Galway County Council) and Deirdre Mac Laughlin (Interim CEO, Galway Chamber of Commerce).
They were joined by representatives of Uisce Éireann, Claire Lyons (Senior Portfolio Manager), Colm Claffey (Programme Manager) and Andrew Molloy (Asset Delivery), as well as by representatives of other firms involved in the upgrading works, Allen Dolan (Coffeys), Eoin O’Flaherty (Jennings O’Donovan) and PJ Griffin (RPS). The works were delivered by Coffeys on behalf of Uisce Éireann.
Also in attendance was Brendan Lally of Cairde an Chláir, an association of local angling groups established to protect fisheries in the Athenry, Tuam and Milltown areas. Brendan said that Cairde an Chláir welcomed the completion of the upgrades, and that the elimination of non-compliant sewer overflow into the Clarin will be beneficial to the long-term health of the river and its fish stocks.
“The mission of Cairde an Chláir is to protect and advocate for the interests of rivers in this region and in that regard, the upgrades to the sewerage networks here in Athenry are very welcome,” said Brendan. “We urgently need to address the issues of water quality in our rivers and lakes. Projects such as the Athenry Sewerage Scheme, which has ended the discharge of non-complaint sewer overflow into the Clarin, are an important step in the right direction.”
Claire Lyons, Senior Portfolio Manager with Uisce Éireann, said the upgrades will enable the social and economic development of Athenry to continue, and thanked residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation while works were underway.
“We at Uisce Éireann are proud to have delivered this important project for the local community in Athenry,” said Claire. “This infrastructure puts an end to the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Clarin River. The local environment has been enhanced as a result of these works and it ensures a platform for social and economic development of the area well into the future."
Athenry-based councillor and Galway County Council Cathaoirleach Albert Dolan welcomed the positive effects this investment in critical infrastructure will have on Athenry and the surrounding areas.
“Athenry is a town experiencing significant growth in terms of its population and economic activity, and these upgrades to the sewerage network were imperative to allow that growth to continue. The residents, businesses and visitors to Athenry deserve the best wastewater services possible and I’m happy to see these extensive upgrade works come to completion,” said Cllr Dolan.
Uisce Éireann is responsible for the delivery of all public water and wastewater services in Ireland. We are committed to continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support the growth needed in housing and across our economy, while protecting the environment and safeguarding water supplies.