Plans are moving forward for increased water storage capacity at Windmill Hill Reservoir in County Meath following recent approval.

Meath County Council has granted planning permission for the construction of a 4.7 million litre treated water storage reservoir at Windmill Hill.

This project will play a key role in improving the water supply security for residents and businesses in Ratoath and Ashbourne, facilitating economic development, and providing for a growing population. The additional infrastructure will mitigate the impact of any of the frequent bursts in the existing upstream water main that supplies Windmill Hill Reservoir from Staleen Water Treatment Plant located near Donore.

Irish Water and Meath County Council will also replace over 7kms of problematic, old water mains in Ratoath that have been prone to frequent bursts and have caused water supply disruptions for customers and businesses in both Ratoath and Ashbourne. The old water mains will be replaced by high density, state-of-the-art polyethylene (plastic) pipes which will also address low water pressure particularly in Ratoath, encountered during periods of peak demand.

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Commenting on the planning decision, William McKnight, Regional Delivery Lead at Irish Water said: "We welcome the decision by Meath County Council to grant permission for the construction of a 4.7 million litre treated water storage reservoir at Windmill Hill. Once completed the Project will reinforce the water supply security and resilience for homes and businesses in Ratoath and Ashbourne and will empower future growth for Southeast Meath.

"Irish Water and Meath County Council are committed to working closely with all residents and stakeholders as we progress this significant infrastructure project with benefits for all."

Irish Water is now in the process of concluding the tender process for the planned works and is on track to award the construction contract in Q3 of this year, with works to commence shortly thereafter.

The new proposed additional reservoir will be built adjacent to the existing reservoir at Windmill Hill which is located between Curragha and Kilmoon Cross. The replacement water main will run parallel to the existing water main along the L5003 and the R155.