A significant drainage project which will serve north Dublin and parts of Meath and Kildare has officially been given the go-ahead, Uisce Éireann has announced.

An Coimisiún Pleanála approved plans for the Greater Dublin Drainage (GDD) Project, resulting in the provision of wastewater treatment for the equivalent of half a million people.

The GDD Project consists of a new regional wastewater treatment facility and sludge hub centre on a 30-hectare site at Clonshagh (Clonshaugh) and an underground orbital sewer from Blanchardstown to Clonshagh (Clonshaugh), and an outfall pipe to return the treated wastewater to discharge point 6km out to sea.

Commenting on the decision, Uisce Éireann's Infrastructure Delivery Director, Maria O'Dwyer, said: "Uisce Éireann is delighted to reach this significant milestone. The delivery of the Greater Dublin Drainage project is a key part of Uisce Éireann's investment in new wastewater infrastructure in Greater Dublin and will facilitate housing and growth, protect public health into the future.  

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"The Greater Dublin Drainage Project was first submitted for planning in 2018 and since that time, population and economic growth means the volume of wastewater we are producing has continued to grow, so the delivery of this critical infrastructure project is more important than ever.

"Current projections are that the amount of wastewater generated in the Greater Dublin Area including parts of Wicklow, Kildare and Meath will increase by over 50% in the period to 2050. The delivery of this essential project on the northside of Dublin in addition to the upgrade to the Ringsend Treatment Plant on the southside of the city (to be complete by the end of this year) will provide the capacity and resilience to support economic and social development for many years to come."

The next phase of work involves completing the remaining pre-construction statutory processes and progressing the procurement of contractors to construct the project. Given the scale and complexity of the project UÉ anticipate construction works will extend over a four-year period.