Work is progressing to deliver a water supply fit for the 21st century in Kilkenny city.

Contractor Glan Agua is beginning work on site at Troyswood Water Treatment Plant, which will see ageing assets decommissioned and a new supply built to benefit 28,000 people.

This work is being delivered under the Kilkenny Regional Water Supply Scheme, led by Irish Water and Kilkenny County Council.

Seán Twohig, Irish Water's Asset Delivery Regional Lead, said: "We are delighted that works have commenced. These are very uncertain times we live in but it is vital that projects like these continue to be rolled out so that cities like Kilkenny can prosper. Currently, Kilkenny City and its environs are serviced by two separate water treatment plants at Troyswood and Radestown. The existing Radestown Water Treatment Plant provides for slow sand filtration followed by disinfection but is unable to remove Trihalomethanes (THM) precursors and is currently on the EPA's Remedial Action (RAL) list. The existing Troyswood Water Treatment Plant also requires a significant upgrade to provide robust water treatment facilities.

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"In addition, the raw water intake at Troyswood is also inaccessible in periods of flooding which causes a lot of issues. The existing treatment plants also have inadequate capacity to cater for future growth in Kilkenny City and its environs so Irish Water is extremely happy to finally bring this project to the fore. This project will benefit communities and businesses for generations to come, so it is something to be positive about."

The €30m investment will take two and a half years to complete. The upgrading and increase in capacity at the treatment plant at Troyswood will equip the plant to then become the primary water treatment plant facility for Kilkenny City. A new 2.9 km watermain from Troyswood to the Radestown site will connect to the existing service reservoirs and enable the Radestown plant to be decommissioned. Homes and businesses need not worry however, as the works are being carried out, water supply will continue to flow.

Welcoming the announcement, Councillor Fidelis Doherty, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, commented: "In September, we heard the annoucement that Glan Aqua were awarded the contract to upgrade Kilkenny City’s water supply. Now, works have commenced and this is fantastic news for the City. It will increase water capacity and ensure high quality water supply for future growth of housing and businesses over the next 40 years. This will include current planned housing developments in the Breagagh Valley (West) and Loughmacask (North) of the City, the re-development of the former Brewery site the Abbey Quarter in the City Centre and business parks adjacent to the Kilkenny Ring Road."

Eamon Gallen, Irish Water's General Manager, added: "The Kilkenny Regional Water Supply Scheme illustrates Irish Water's committment to providing the key infrastructure in Ireland to promote social and economic development. This project will also ensure that the water supply is removed from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Remedial Action List (RAL) and that the commuities and businesses who will benefit from the works will enjoy a more robust and secure water supply into the future."