The Old Wallboard Factory in Ferrybank has been selected as the preferred site for a new Wastewater Treatment Plant (WwTP) to be developed in Arlow, Co Wicklow.

Arklow is one of 45 towns identified by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), where wastewater is discharged without any treatment. In the case of Arklow the untreated wastewater is discharged into the Avoca River which flows through Arklow Town, an unacceptable situation that Irish Water is working to address.

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The preferred location for the new Treatment Plant has been recommended by Irish Water based on the public consultation processes and consultation with An Bord Pleanála, Wicklow County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will now be carried out at the preferred site which will examine in detail the issues of concern raised during the consultation periods.

Jerry Grant, Head of Asset Management at Irish Water said: "The selection of the preferred site for the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant at the Old Wallboard Factory Site, North Quay, Ferrybank marks a key land mark in the delivery of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for Arklow. Irish Water is committed to ending the discharge of untreated wastewater in Arklow, along with the other 44 locations identified in the recent EPA Urban Wastewater Treatment Report."

(CD/LM)