Uisce Éireann has opened an eight-week public consultation on the Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy, running from Thursday, 28 May to Thursday, 23 July 2026. The Draft Strategy is published alongside the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and the Natura Impact Statement (NIS).

The publication marks a key step towards ensuring Galway's wastewater treatment and network infrastructure can sustainably accommodate growth, protect the environment and boost climate resilience through 2040, 2055 and 2080.

Under the National Planning Framework 2040, Galway is identified as one of Ireland's fastest-growing urban areas over the past half-century and a major driver of development in the West. The city's population is projected to rise by about 40% between 2022 and 2040, adding pressure on existing wastewater systems to deliver serviced land for housing, commerce and industry.

Sean Laffey, Director of Asset Management and Sustainability with Uisce Éireann, said: "This Draft Strategy has been developed using a long term, evidence-based approach to ensure that we can plan future wastewater services with certainty and that we meet the needs of current and future generations who live and work in Galway city and surrounding areas. This strategy is about planning for Galway's future. We encourage everyone to review the Draft Strategy and its associated documents and to share their views with us during the public consultation period."

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The Draft Strategy assesses the current wastewater treatment and network infrastructure across the Galway Metropolitan Area (Galway City and its suburbs) as well as Moycullen and Athenry. Four wastewater treatment plants currently serve the study area: Mutton Island (Galway city), Athenry, Baile Chláir (Claregalway) and Moycullen.

Key recommendations to meet long-term needs include:

- Progressing a new Regional Galway East Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to provide sufficient capacity, resilience and environmental protection through to 2080.

- Increasing treatment capacity at Mutton Island and Athenry in the short term to address population demands, with works planned within the 2040 investment cycle.

- Gradually diverting loads from Mutton Island and Athenry to the new Regional Galway East plant once commissioned, reducing pressure on the existing plants and managing long-term regulatory risk. Mutton Island would continue at reduced capacity, while Athenry would transition to a pumping station transferring flows to the new facility.

- Retaining decentralised treatment at Moycullen and Baile Chláir (Claregalway), with any future upgrades guided by population and economic growth forecasts.

The plan envisages the Regional Galway East WWTP being delivered to allow phased expansion. Over time, wastewater from strategic areas around the city would be redirected from Mutton Island to the new regional plant. Mutton Island would continue serving a smaller catchment, and Athenry would operate as a pumping station with all flows conveyed to the new facility.

These proposals are intended to equip Galway communities with wastewater infrastructure that underpins economic and regional development, safeguards the environment and strengthens resilience to climate change.

Uisce Éireann is inviting feedback from members of the public, community groups, businesses, elected representatives and stakeholders on the Draft Strategy and associated environmental reports. Consultation documents can be viewed and downloaded from the Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy page on the Uisce Éireann website.

Submissions are open until midnight on Thursday, 23 July 2026 via:

- Online: consult.water.ie

- Email: [email protected]

- Post: Uisce Éireann, Galway Wastewater Strategy, 1 Galway Business Park, Upper Newcastle Road, Dangan, Galway H91 A3EF

A webinar will be held during the consultation period, with details and registration available on the website. All feedback received will be reviewed and considered as Uisce Éireann finalises the Galway Wastewater Strategy, which is due to be published later in 2026 alongside the SEA Statement and Appropriate Assessment (AA).