A major water infrastructure project in Navan, Co Meath, has been approved for development.

Planning permission has been granted for the project, which will see the construction of 16km of new trunk watermains primarily in public roads between Duleek and Navan and a new pumping station at Kentstown.

When completed, the project will enable Irish Water to maintain a sufficient supply of drinking water to homes and businesses in Navan during planned or unplanned disruptions at Navan's water treatment plant at Liscarton by diverting available treated water from the recently upgraded water treatment plant at Staleen to Navan's treated water storage reservoirs at Carn Hill and Proudstown. 

William McKnight, Irish Water, Infrastructure Delivery: "We are delighted to be progressing this major trunk watermain project for Meath. Trunk watermains are often described as the 'motorways' of the water network, carrying a significant amount of water at high pressure in order to supply homes and businesses. The new interconnection with the Staleen Water Treatment Plant will significantly improve, reliability and resilience of the water supply serving Navan particularly during planned or unplanned disruptions within the existing water supply infrastructure.

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"Irish Water recognises the need for water supplies in Meath to be more resilient to population growth and to periods of high demand which is why we are building future capacity into our water infrastructure."

To ensure the safe delivery of the project for crews and the public, traffic management and some road closures will be necessary. Local access and emergency access will always be maintained.

The works will take place on existing public roads between Duleek and Navan on the L1610 from Boolies Little (South of Duleek) to the junction with the N2 at Balrath; on the R153 from Balrath to Kentstown; and on the R153 from Kentstown to Casey's Cross in Navan. 

The project will also require pipelaying under the River Boyne between lands adjacent to St Mary's Cemetery on the Boyne Road and lands adjacent to Blackcastle Estate on the Slane Road. An underground crossing will also be required under the Navan to Drogheda railway line. To minimise the impact on the local community and the environment, the majority of this work will be carried out using modern trenchless technology, meaning much of the construction will take place almost entirely underground without large open excavations. Following the necessary statutory approvals, it is estimated that works will begin onsite in 2023.