Uisce Eireann’s Greater Dublin Drainage Project gets the green light to proceed to construction

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Uisce Éireann welcomes the planning approval of the Greater Dublin Drainage (GDD) Project by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

This essential project, servicing north Dublin and parts of Meath and Kildare, will provide wastewater treatment for the equivalent of half a million people living and working across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).  

The GDD project represents the next major step in the development of wastewater infrastructure for Dublin and surrounding counties.  

Commenting on the decision Uisce Éireann’s Infrastructure Delivery Director Maria O’Dwyer said “Uisce Éireann is delighted to reach this significant milestone. The delivery of the Greater Dublin Drainage project is a key part of Uisce Éireann's investment in new wastewater infrastructure in Greater Dublin and will facilitate housing and growth, protect public health into the future.  

“The Greater Dublin Drainage Project was first submitted for planning in 2018 and since that time, population and economic growth means the volume of wastewater we are producing has continued to grow, so the delivery of this critical infrastructure project is more important than ever. Current projections are that the amount of wastewater generated in the Greater Dublin Area including parts of Wicklow, Kildare and Meath will increase by over 50% in the period to 2050. The delivery of this essential project on the northside of Dublin in addition to the upgrade to the Ringsend Treatment Plant on the southside of the City (to be complete by the end of this year) will provide the capacity and resilience to support economic and social development for many years to come”.  

The Greater Dublin Drainage Project consists of new regional wastewater treatment facility and sludge hub centre on a 30-hectare site at Clonshagh (Clonshaugh) and an underground orbital sewer from Blanchardstown to Clonshagh (Clonshaugh), and an outfall pipe to return the treated wastewater to discharge point 6 km out to sea 

This project will increase the development potential of Dublin and parts of the surrounding counties by providing new infrastructure that will alleviate pressure within the existing wastewater network. Uisce Éireann is reviewing the grant of permissions and attached conditions. The next phase of work involves completing the remaining pre-construction statutory processes and progressing the procurement of contractors to construct the project. Given the scale and complexity of the project UÉ anticipate construction works will extend over a 4-year period.