en.Wedoany.com Reported - Irish Water (Uisce Éireann) has recently initiated early preparatory work for the Greater Dublin Drainage (GDD) project. After receiving approval in December 2025, the project has entered its preliminary phase and remains on track for completion ahead of schedule in 2031. The company stated that the commencement of early works marks a significant milestone for one of Ireland's most important strategic infrastructure projects. The project will provide wastewater treatment capacity for approximately 500,000 people in the Greater Dublin area and support the delivery of up to 185,000 new homes in North Dublin, as well as surrounding areas in County Meath and County Kildare.
Currently, preparatory work is underway in Abbottstown, Clonshaugh, and Silloge, including archaeological surveys, access road construction, and the installation of fencing and barriers. In March 2026, the maritime regulatory authority granted the Marine Use Licence (MUL) required for the project's marine and site surveys. The survey work involves the use of a temporary barge, which will be moored offshore in Portmarnock Bay from June 2026. Pre-construction works are scheduled to commence before the end of this year, with main construction expected to begin in 2028.
Eoin Ahern, Senior Portfolio Manager at Irish Water, stated that the Greater Dublin Drainage project is a critical national infrastructure that will help unlock housing delivery capacity and support sustainable economic growth in the Greater Dublin region for decades to come. As the population continues to grow, investment in wastewater treatment is essential for protecting public health, the environment, and ensuring the region's ongoing sustainable development. The initiation of these preparatory works marks a key step forward in delivering this important project.
The project includes the construction of a new regional wastewater treatment plant and sludge hub on a 30-hectare site in Clonshaugh; an underground ring main sewer network; a sewer pipeline to partially divert flow from the North Fringe Sewer to the new treatment plant; a new pumping station in Abbottstown; a marine outfall pipe extending from the treatment plant to the Irish Sea for discharging treated water; and a regional biosolids storage facility in Newtown/Kilshane, Dublin.
The project has been identified as the best long-term solution to meet the region's future wastewater treatment needs. By treating wastewater from the North Dublin area, the project will significantly alleviate pressure on the existing Ringsend wastewater treatment plant and free up capacity for future housing. At the same time, it will protect coastal and marine waters, helping Ireland meet national and EU environmental standards.
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