Irish Water has announced it is to invest €31m as part of a major upgrade of one of the country's largest wastewater treatment plants at Osberstown, Co Kildare.

It is the largest single investment in the upgrade of a wastewater treatment plant by Irish Water to date, the utility provider has said.

The newly upgraded plant will serve industries, local businesses and homes in Sallins, Clane, Prosperous, Naas, Johnstown, Kill, Newbridge, Kilcullen, Athgarven, Carragh and the Curragh.

Currently under construction, the project has met its first milestone to increase the treatment capacity from the current 80,000 PE (population equivalent) to 88,000 PE. This milestone is important in the provision of a modern, fit-for-purpose, water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure continued economic development in the region.

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The works are expected to be completed by the end of 2017, at which point the plant will have a final treatment capacity of 130,000 PE and a higher level of treatment, fully compliant with environmental licenses.

The Osberstown treatment plant discharges treated wastewater into the River Liffey making it one of the largest inshore discharge points in the country. Maintaining river water quality by providing improved treatment processes will be a vital part of the upgrade work.

Michael Tinsley, of the Wastewater Capital Programme at Irish Water, said: "Many of our treatment facilities are operating under significant pressure with little spare capacity to cater for increased demand. As the economy continues to recover it is essential that we have the infrastructure in place to meet the growth in demand from our industrial and domestic customers.

"This region has a thriving and growing agri-food sector and water services are vital to its continued development. By taking a national approach to maintaining and managing assets, investments such as this in Osberstown can be prioritised to deliver the maximum social, economic and environmental benefits."

(JP)