€19 million for Waterford water plant upgrades
Work has begun on upgrading the Adamstown water treatment plant.
The Kilmeaden-based facility provides over 70% of Waterford’s water supply to customers in the city and county of Waterford.
According to Uisce Éireann (UÉ), the upgrades will improve the water quality for 65,000 customers in Waterford.
The investment is being carried out by Glanua on behalf of Uisce Éireann.
Uisce Éireann’s Programme Manager Hugh Kennedy said: “This project will bring significant benefits to the local communities and economy of Waterford city and county.
"We are committed to producing a reliable and safe drinking water supply while protecting the local environment and this project is key to their delivery.”
He continued: “We will carry out upgrades across the filtration and residuals treatment processes at Adamstown WTP to ensure we continue to produce quality drinking water and protect the wider Kilmeaden environment.
"These works will ensure compliance with current National and EU Drinking Water Regulations and improve security of supply to homes and businesses across the city and county.”
Waterford's water treatment facilities have long been in need of repair and investment, with many public representatives like former Metro Mayor Jody Power (Greens), calling on UÉ to intervene.
In June 2023, over 40,000 litres of aluminium sulphate was discharged from storage tanks at the Adamstown plant and into the River Suir.
The major chemical leak killed 100 fish, including salmon, trout, lamprey, and eels at the Whelan’s Bridge Stream.
In July 2024, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) secured a prosecution against UÉ for the water pollution breach.
Evidence of the breach was given to the court by IFI Fisheries Environmental Officer Oliver McGrath.
Waterford District Court imposed a fine of €4,000 on Uisce Éireann, and it was also ordered to pay costs of €3,114.60, when the case was finalised on February 26, 2024.
After the judgement was passed, South Eastern River Basin District Director at IFI Lynda Connor said: “Fish kills, such as these, are serious and damaging ecological events.
"It is critical that Uisce Éireann ensures that adequate systems and processes are in place to prevent any such incident recurring.”
A spokesperson for IFI commented on the new upgrades: "Inland Fisheries Ireland welcome all investment in infrastructural water projects that benefit local communities and the wider environment."
