Why the plan is needed

The public wastewater system operates within an increasingly complex environment. These challenges require a more strategic, long-term, and nationally consistent approach to planning.

Uisce Éireann, as Ireland's national public water services provider, collects and treats more than 1.2 billion litres of wastewater every day before it is safely returned to the environment. Providing safe, secure and sustainable wastewater services is essential to protect public health, support housing and economic growth, and safeguard Ireland's water environment and natural resources.

To meet future trends and changing requirements, the National Wastewater and Drainage Plan (NWWDP) will provide a consistent, evidence-based, adaptable framework for assessing these changes, understanding future risks, and identifying long-term planning and investment needs.

The NWWDP will help ensure Ireland has safe, sustainable and resilient wastewater services to support communities, housing, economic growth and environmental protection. It will provide a long-term framework to identify future risks and investment needs, improve water quality, strengthen climate resilience, reduce flooding and pollution risks, and support better outcomes for customers, communities and the environment.