Uisce Éireann has confirmed that significant infrastructure upgrades to the wastewater treatment plants in Ballyjamesduff and Virginia, County Cavan, are progressing well and are anticipated to be completed by early 2027.

The two projects, situated just ten kilometres apart, represent a major combined investment of €58 million into the region's wastewater infrastructure.

The upgrades are designed to support the wastewater needs of approximately 12,000 people across both towns, which will facilitate new residential and commercial growth in the area. Crucially, the works will also ensure that wastewater treated at both plants will comply with all EU and EPA treatment and discharge directives.

Virginia Plant: Receiving an investment of approximately €33 million, the plant's capacity is set to triple, increasing from a design load of 2,000 Population Equivalent (PE) to 6,000 PE.

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Ballyjamesduff Plant: Receiving an investment of €25 million, the capacity will more than double, increasing from 2,200 PE to 5,200 PE.

Construction is moving swiftly in both locations, with contractors Veolia managing complex delivery challenges:

Ballyjamesduff: Progress includes the laying of approximately 1.5 kilometres of new underground pipe and 9.5 kilometres of cable, alongside the use of nearly 200 tonnes of steel.

Virginia: Works include the installation of a new pumping station west of the River Blackwater, which required advanced technology to tunnel beneath the riverbed to connect it to the main plant. Another major element is the new outfall, positioned approximately 300 metres into Lough Ramor, for which specialist contractors carried out detailed lakebed surveys. Over 175 tonnes of steel have been used and more than 10,000 cubic metres of earth excavated to date.

Patrick Greene, Portfolio Manager at Uisce Éireann, commented on the positive momentum: "The upgrade works at the wastewater plants in Ballyjamesduff and Virginia represent significant investment into the region and are evidence of Uisce Éireann's commitment to delivering for our customers and communities in this region. Works at the two plants are continuing on schedule, and we anticipate that both will be complete and ready for commissioning by early 2027."