A planning application has been submitted to develop a new wastewater treatment plant (WwTP) on the site of the existing plant in Vartry, Co Wicklow.

Irish Water said the treatment plant will secure the water supply for the long-term and ensure the scheme continues to meet all drinking water standards.

Treated water from Vartry provides drinking water for one of the most densely populated areas in the country. The supply area stretches through North Wicklow, to South Dublin, and serves more than 200,000 people.

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The plant was originally constructed in the 1860s and was a feat of engineering for its time, which involved the building of two reservoirs, a water treatment plant, a four kilometre long tunnel under Callowhill and sixty kilometres of trunk main to deliver water to the supply area.

Geoff O'Sullivan, Project Manager with Irish Water said: "We are pleased to submit this planning application as an important step in securing the drinking water to the Vartry Water Supply area of North Wicklow and South Dublin. The scheme has had no major upgrade since it was built over 150 years ago and is now in need of urgent investment. Irish Water will invest up to €200 million in the upgrade which is seen as a priority project."

(CD/LM)