Frequently Asked Questions
The existing Glin sewerage network and tidal tank, constructed in 1934 with a design load of 272PE, are overloaded and no longer comply with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations. The untreated wastewater from the Glin area and its environs are currently discharging to the Shannon Estuary near Knockaranna Point, approximately 400m away from the Glin Pier which is nominated by LCCC to be a designated bathing area. The Glin Sewerage Scheme project is needed to remove the discharge of untreated wastewater to the Shannon estuary, enable social and economic growth, and to reduce the frequency of sewer overflows during heavy rainfall events.
The proposed works at Glin shall be designed to cater for a load of 1,200 PE, the works can be split into the following sections:
New Terminal Pumping Station (TPS)
The proposed Town Park terminal pumping station will be designed to pass forward flows to the proposed WWTP. A new rising main approximately 850m in length will be designed and installed from the terminal pump station to the Inlet Works of the proposed WWTP.
New Glin pipelines & sea outfalls
Two new gravity pipelines will be installed to carry flows from the WWTP’s tidal tank to the marine outfall, and from the Terminal Pump Station stormwater tank overflow to the marine outfall.
The selected location of the marine outfalls is to the west of the TPS. This location avoids the mouth of River Glencorbry and is located further downstream of the existing outfall to negate impacts on the bathing waters.
New Glin Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).
A new wastewater treatment plant is to be constructed in the townland of Caheragh. The proposed WWTP will be located approximately 800 m from the terminal pump station.
Uisce Eireann is currently awaiting a licence for the proposed outfall from the Marine Area Regulatory Authority. This is expected in Q3 2025. Once a grant of licence is received, a planning application, which is currently being prepared, will be lodged in Q3 2025. Following a successful planning grant and budget approval, construction works will commence in Q3 2026 and the project is due for completion by Q3 2029. The duration is taking into account seasonal constraints. The Shannon Estuary is a SAC/ SPA and scheduling of the works outside the wintering bird season to prevent any negative impact to the local biodiversity needs to be taken into consideration.
The WWTP will be constructed outside the town centre. However construction traffic will use the N69 for access with a purpose-built temporary access road into the WWTP site. All construction will be retained within the WWTP site boundary and access to the surrounding fields will be made available to the landowner through the use of temporary gates.
The main impact to the community will be the construction of the terminal pumping station and new pipelines. The pipelines will require a traffic management system along the N69. The section of the road affected will be from the east of the town, just before the turn off for the Glin Pier, to the foreshore area located just west of the tennis court. A shuttle system of traffic flow will be in place during the duration of the pipeline works. Pipelines will be placed within the verge where possible but will cross the road at 3 locations, one along the N69 just by the turn off for the Glin Pier, and other crossings will be either side of the bridge.
A section of the existing foul sewer will also be upsized as part of this project- this will be from the top of Mary Street and run along the N69, crossing to the TPS at the end of main street. Access to Oisin hall and the domestic houses located on N69 will be maintained throughout these works.
The duration of these works is estimated to be 6 months. No road works will take place without a road opening license from Limerick City & Country Council and any restrictions applied will be implemented.
A section of the town park will be closed for the duration of the works to facilitate the construction. Parking at the town park will be restricted during the majority of the construction works but full closure will be required intermittently to facilitate construction. Any closures will be notified to the community in advance, including the duration of closure. Pedestrian access to the tennis court, pier and playground will be maintained during construction works, although entrance to the playground may be relocated to facilitate landscaping works.
The duration of these works is estimated to be 9 months in total (possibly over 2-3 summer seasons due to the ecological constraints). The majority of the construction works will be completed during the summer months, due to the fact that the Shannon Estuary is a SAC/ SPA and scheduling of the works outside the wintering bird season to prevent any negative impact to the local biodiversity needs to be taken into consideration.
A new wastewater treatment plant will be constructed in the townland of Caheragh. Location is outlined in red below. A temporary access for construction only is proposed from the N69. However, permanent operational access will be from a new entrance on the Caheragh Road. The construction access will be reinstated upon construction completion.
The existing sewer network flows to an old tidal tank currently located in the town park. Therefore the network is required to be intercepted at this point to ensure collection of all sewage in Glin for treatment. At this point the sewer is 1.92 m deep. A pump station is the most appropriate new infrastructure for technical, safety and ecological reasons at this depth as opposed to a deep extension to the network in this area and through the town. This ensures that deeper excavations are avoided and provides maximum hydraulic flexibility.
The TPS site will be located in a green area between the playground and the car park within the town park. All proposed structures will be underground, except the kiosks and vent stack. The ground levels will be raised to accommodate these underground structures but will be graded to blend in with the existing ground levels. A tree survey was completed in the town park and it was noted that one tree was dead and one tree would need to be removed to facilitate construction works. Following discussions with the local development group, a holistic approach was taken to the landscaping design. A total of 6 ash trees at risk of ash die-back disease will be removed and will be replaced by a combination of native trees, hedgerow, perennials, shrubs and coastal grass to improve the aesthetic of the town park. A new plaza will be provided with seating to allow users to enjoy the coastal views.
During construction, a section of the town park will be closed. Hoarding fencing will be erected around the site to ensure public safety. Parking at the town park will be restricted during the majority of the construction works but full closure will be required intermittently to facilitate construction ranging from days to a number of weeks. Any closures will be notified to the community in advance, including the duration of closure where possible. Pedestrian access to the tennis court, pier and playground will be maintained during construction works, although entrance to the playground may be relocated to facilitate landscaping works.
The duration of these works is estimated to be 9 months in total (possibly over 2-3 summer seasons due to the ecological constraints). The majority of the construction works will be completed during the summer months, due to the fact that the Shannon Estuary is a SAC/ SPA and scheduling of the works outside the wintering bird season to prevent any negative impact to the local biodiversity needs to be taken into consideration.
Construction of the pipelines on the N69 will be for a period of 6 months (estimated) with one 200-300m rolling lane closure for the duration of the works. A shuttle system of traffic flow shall be adopted to enable traffic to pass through the works on one lane only if the remaining road width permits.
Local access and public pedestrian routes will be maintained at all times during the construction works as far as reasonably practical. Pedestrian and Traffic will be completely separated and segregated from the works site at all times. Routes shall be maintained clean, clear, and free of any obstruction.
Working hours will comply with conditions set out in any future planning grant. Normal construction working hours for the development are proposed to be:
8am ‐ 6pm, Monday to Friday;
Please note, although we will strive to keep construction works within the normal construction hours, variations from this may occur in order to facilitate requests or needs of the project, community and stakeholders.
Any requirements imposed on the construction works through the road opening licence will be implemented and any changes to these working hours will be communicated in advance.
Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. Where footpaths are closed, an alternative pedestrian walkway will be provided.
All emergency services are being consulted with respect to the works, and access for emergency vehicles be maintained at all times. Personnel on the ground will take a proactive approach to assisting emergency services where required.
Yes, the project is subject to archaeological monitoring. Should archaeological material be discovered, we will comply with the requirements of the Archaeologist and the National Monuments Service (NMS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in fully recording the material.
An archaeological survey was carried out during detailed design stage, and it is worth noting that we are primarily excavating within the existing pipeline corridor, so the land has already been disturbed at this location.
An ecologist will be appointed to oversee the construction works for the duration of the construction and a marine mammal observer will also be appointed to overview the marine construction works.
The new scheme will meet the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations and protect sensitive areas like the River Shannon Estuary and River Fergus Estuaries SPA.
There will be temporary increases in traffic along the N69 by contract workers before and after working hours. The car park will be located within the boundary of the WWTP site and access to this will be from the N69. There will be no expected increase to traffic within the main town.
Traffic from deliveries will also increase, however these will be scheduled to minimize the impact on locals and access will be from N69 so no traffic will be directed through the main street or town.
There is expected to be temporary/ short duration traffic build ups within the town during the pipeline construction due to the shuttle system of flow of traffic that will be in operation.
Once completed, there will be no increase to operational traffic. Site operator will visit site a few times a week (est 3-5), with only 1 vehicle (car/ van). A sludge tanker will visit every 2 weeks. Scheduled maintenance or emergency works may require additional vehicles as required but these should not impact traffic.
Health and safety guidelines are adopted into standard procedures. Traffic management has adopted pedestrian safety where a diversion route has been provided for the works. Works areas will be segregated with advance warning signs advising of the works. We will continuously review works and associated safety measures.
A dedicated project webpage will be available on Uisce Éireann’s website which will be updated throughout the duration of the project. https://www.water.ie/projects/local-projects/glin-sewerage-scheme
EPS the contractor working on behalf of Uisce Eireann can be contacted on: 022-31200
Uisce Éireann can be contacted at 1800 278 278 or please email glinss@water.ie
Proactive communications will be issued with respect to any planned water outages, with vulnerable water users and affected properties directly informed.