Uisce Éireann has completed one of the largest projects to upgrade the drinking water supply in South Dublin and North Wicklow. The Old Connaught Woodbrook Water Supply Scheme will provide a more reliable water supply for existing homes and businesses while also providing additional capacity for future growth.

To mark the completion of this critical upgrade and associated benefits to the local community and economy, Jessica Dale, Barry Butler and Daniel Kennedy from Uisce Éireann, were joined by Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Councillor Jim O’Leary; Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Councillor Paul O’Brien, along with representatives from Ward & Burke Construction Limited, RPS Group and Nicholas O’Dwyer Limited.

Speaking about the project, Jessica Dale, Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann, said: “We are delighted to mark the completion of this critical project. Two new reservoirs and associated pipelines will provide enough storage capacity to meet current and future demands for homes and businesses across South Dublin and North Wicklow. The upgraded scheme will cater for an additional 3,400 homes and over 300 businesses.

Jessica Dale continued: “The Old Connaught Woodbrook Water Supply Scheme upgrade has been delivered with sustainability and biodiversity at the heart of the project.  We designed wildflower landscaping to help conserve, enhance and work with the natural environment by planting multi species grass and trees at the site.”

The project, representing a €28 million investment by Uisce Éireann, involved the construction of two new state-of-the-art reservoirs and 14km of new water mains, providing new drinking water infrastructure for the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and North Wicklow area. It will also provide network resilience and flexibility for the GDA (Greater Dublin Area).

Daniel Kennedy, Water Operations Lead with Uisce Éireann, added: “The addition of the two new reservoirs provides immediate operational flexibility and resilience of the water supply to the Greater Dublin Area. Some areas were previously supplied from the Vartry to Stillorgan trunk mains. If there was an issue on these trunk mains or they required preventative maintenance, it caused water outages to parts of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and North Wicklow, which can now be avoided.”

The project was delivered on behalf of Uisce Éireann by Ward and Burke Construction Limited.

Uisce Éireann is responsible for delivering public drinking water and wastewater services for the people of Ireland. We are committed to enabling communities to thrive by continuously upgrading and developing critical infrastructure to support sustainable growth and development, providing safe drinking water, and enhancing the environment.

Pictured above: Joe Cunney, Ward & Burke Construction Limited; Councillor Jim O’Leary, Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; Councillor Paul O’Brien, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council; Barry Butler, Uisce Éireann; Aoife Carty, RPS Group.