Uisce Éireann has marked the completion of a €13 million sewerage scheme upgrade in Athenry, Galway.

Local dignitaries, anglers and members of the project team attended an event last Friday which signalled the finalisation of extensive upgrades to the town’s sewerage network.

The sizeable investment involved improvements to the wastewater network infrastructure in Athenry, reducing the risk of sewer flooding and addressing non-compliant sewer overflows into the River Clarin.

"We at Uisce Éireann are proud to have delivered this important project for the local community in Athenry," said Claire Lyons, Senior Portfolio Manager with Uisce Éireann.

"This infrastructure puts an end to the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Clarin River. The local environment has been enhanced as a result of these works and it ensures a platform for social and economic development of the area well into the future."

-- Advertisement --

The upgrades have improved the capacity of the sewer network, creating breathing space for projected population growth in the town and its surroundings.

The extra capacity will also enable the economic expansion of Athenry to continue apace in the coming years.

The works have ensured that the treatment of wastewater is fully compliant with EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directives and Wastewater Discharge License Emission Limit Values, and has eliminated all non-compliant combined sewer overflows within the area.

Athenry-based councillor and Galway County Council Cathaoirleach, Albert Dolan, welcomed the positive effects this investment in critical infrastructure will have on the town and the surrounding areas.

"Athenry is a town experiencing significant growth in terms of its population and economic activity, and these upgrades to the sewerage network were imperative to allow that growth to continue," he said.

"The residents, businesses and visitors to Athenry deserve the best wastewater services possible and I’m happy to see these extensive upgrade works come to completion."