Massive €114 million wastewater project to get underway in Athlone

What's been described as one of the largest capital investments by Uisce Éireann to date is about to get underway in Athlone.

The three-year, €114 million, Athlone Main Drainage Project, planned for more than a decade, is scheduled to get underway in the coming weeks.

This major upgrade of the town's wastewater infrastructure will include the construction of two separate tunnelled crossings under the River Shannon, along with two new pumping stations at Golden Island and Coosan West, and almost three kilometres of new sewers.

The work is due to finally address the longstanding problem of sewage flowing into the River Shannon in Athlone during times of heavy rainfall.

Uisce Éireann said combined sewer overflows would be eliminated at six locations along the River Shannon and would be replaced by two new stormwater overflows designed to meet current licensing standards.

It added that the existing "under-performing pumping stations and pipework" would be decommissioned.

The overall project "will safeguard the environment, enhance water quality in the River Shannon, and enable future growth and development," Uisce Éireann said in a statement today (Thursday).

The utility recently invested €5.6m in an upgrade of the Athlone Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Commenting on the upcoming commencement of the Athlone Main Drainage Project, Eunan Canavan, Regional Infrastructure Delivery Lead at Uisce Éireann, said: "We are looking forward to delivering this important project on behalf of the local community in Athlone.

"This project will enhance the local environment by alleviating sewer flooding and improving water quality in the Shannon for angling, water sports and marine life.

"It will also ensure that the wastewater infrastructure meets the needs of homes and businesses while providing capacity for current and future growth and development," said Mr Canavan.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien also welcomed the announcement, saying the project would "significantly improve" water quality in the Shannon.

"It will reduce flooding, protect our environment and crucially, will provide the capacity we need for more homes and development in the region," he added.

The River Shannon is a designated Nutrient Sensitive Area, and Athlone town was one of the locations cited in a European Court Judgement Case against the State for failure to comply with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) regarding the discharge of sewage in sensitive areas.

Works under the main drainage project will take place at multiple locations across Athlone including: Golden Island, West Bank (The Quay), West Side, Abbey Road, Coosan West, The Strand, Burgess Park, Payne’s Lane, and under the River Shannon.

The project is to be carried out on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke Construction Ltd and is expected to be completed in late 2025.

Uisce Éireann said crews would "make every effort to minimise the impact of these works on the local community".

It said that, where possible, "the new sewers will be installed using trenchless technology, meaning that a significant proportion of the construction will take place underground without the need for open-cut excavation."

More information about the project is available on the Uisce Éireann website here.