Work to upgrade Ireland's second largest water treatment plant has reached a key milestone.

The next phase of work has begun on the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant, improving the supply for over 620,000 customers across Dublin, Kildare and Meath.

Irish Water is leading the €20 million project to upgrade and modernise the plant, which will safeguard the water supply for homes and businesses for generations to come.

The upgrade project, which began in June 2018, continues to progress at an impressive rate despite the challenges of keeping a large water treatment plant operational while facilitating major upgrade works, as well as dealing with the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 15 filters have already been upgraded and are fully operational, with each filter capable of processing up to 12 million litres of water per day, the equivalent of five Olympic sized swimming pools. The installation of a new ultraviolet (UV) disinfection process and upgrades to the existing disinfection system have also been completed.

These upgrades have modernised the existing facilities and significantly improved drinking water quality, reliability and resilience of the water supply serving Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area as well as greatly reducing the risk of any future boil water notices. The works also facilitated the removal of the Leixlip Water Supply Scheme from the EPA's list of 'at risk' supplies, the Remedial Action List (RAL), last year which led to the lowest ever population on the RAL since Irish Water was established.

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The next phase of works includes essential upgrades to the treatment processes at the plant including coagulation, clarification and filtration. These works will further improve the robustness of the water treatment facilities at both the old and new water treatment plants and are scheduled for completion in Q4 2024. All works will be carried out within the existing site, with no impact to the public.

Speaking about the upgrade works and the water supply in the GDA, Stephen Seymour, Irish Water, said: "Delivering upgrades of this magnitude at an operational water treatment plant that serves over 620,000 people is challenging. The progress that continues to be made despite these challenges is a testament to the collaboration between Irish Water, Fingal County Council and our contractors Glan Agua.

"The water supply and demand balance in Dublin and the GDA remains critical as we use almost every drop of water that is produced. The delivery of this project along with a number of other ambitious projects across the GDA will not only help increase the security and resilience of the drinking water supply, it will also support existing and future residential and commercial development."

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, added: "This significant investment by Irish Water has enabled the upgrading of the old water treatment plant at Leixlip to be expedited. Our colleagues operate the plant at Leixlip, under a Service Level Agreement, on behalf of Irish Water. They have done a fantastic job in ensuring the plant continues to function normally while these extensive works are being delivered, so that customers across the GDA continue to receive safe, clean drinking water."