Construction work has started on a new water treatment plant in Co Kerry.

The plant, located on Lough Guitane, is being developed as part of a €30 million investment by Irish Water in the Kerry Central Regional Water Supply Scheme.

Glan Agua has been appointed the main contractor and will carry out the design and construction works on behalf of Irish Water, with engineering services being provided by Nicholas O'Dwyer.

The Kerry Central Regional Water Supply Scheme currently abstracts raw water from Lough Guitane but does not have an effective treatment system that incorporates a cryptosporidium barrier. The €30 million investment will ensure that the required treatment processes are in place by December 2017 with full completion of the project by mid-2018.

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Jerry Grant, Managing Director of Irish Water said: "This is one of many projects currently being progressed by Irish Water to address the inadequacies in water infrastructure across Ireland. Kerry is one of Ireland's premier tourist destinations and every one of the 1.2 million tourists who come to enjoy the magnificence of this part of the world every year expect nothing less than a safe and reliable water supply. With this project, Irish Water will be able to ensure that they can enjoy their time here confident that the water supply is safe and secure."