Cleaner waters and stronger wastewater services for Mayo communities

Cleaner waters, a healthier environment and more resilient wastewater services are making a real difference for communities across Mayo, thanks to continued investment in local wastewater infrastructure.

That investment is delivering real improvements locally, with ongoing upgrades to wastewater treatment plants in towns such as Claremorris and Ballaghaderreen, and planning permission recently granted for an upgrade to the Ballyhaunis Wastewater Treatment Plant.

This local progress is reflected in the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, which shows that 93 per cent of Uisce Éireann’s wastewater treatment plants nationally are now compliant with EU standards. 

We invested €454.4 million in wastewater services during 2025.

Major upgrades to wastewater plants in Claremorris and Ballaghaderreen, representing investments of €17.9million and €3.8million respectively, will ensure that wastewater treated at both plants will be compliant with all EU and EPA treatment and discharge directives. 

Both projects are on track for completion in late 2027. Elsewhere, construction is due to begin next year on an upgrade to the Ballyhaunis WWTP, which was recently granted planning approval.

These projects will make a real difference locally, but Uisce Éireann recognises there is more work to do. 

The focus remains on addressing challenges, investing where improvements are needed most and delivering the wastewater services that communities expect and deserve.

Niall Horgan, Uisce Éireann’s Wastewater Compliance Senior Manager, said:“Our wastewater treatment plants and services are vital to people’s quality of life, and that is what drives our work every day.

“The progress we are seeing in Mayo shows what sustained investment can deliver for communities and the environment. We have made significant progress in recent years, but we know there is more to do. We are continuing to invest in communities right across the country, modernising wastewater services, protecting local waterways and ensuring communities can grow and thrive while safeguarding the environment.” 

 Across Ireland, Uisce Éireann invested €454.4 million in wastewater infrastructure during 2025, an increase of more than €120 million compared with the €333 million invested in 2020. 

Total wastewater investment since then has exceeded €2.5 billion, helping to modernise services in communities nationwide.

During 2025, raw sewage discharges were ended at Rathmullan, Ramelton, Ballycotton and Arklow, with Whitegate-Aghada subsequently removed from the untreated agglomerations list in early 2026. 

To date, Uisce Éireann has delivered new wastewater infrastructure or has construction underway for 41 towns and villages, ending the discharge of raw sewage into the environment at those locations.

While considerable progress has been made, Uisce Éireann also acknowledges the EPA’s concerns regarding operational incidents.

Many of the challenges facing the wastewater system are associated with ageing infrastructure, parts of which have been in place for decades and were not designed for the demands now placed on the network.

Addressing these challenges through continued investment and modernisation remains a priority. 

Uisce Éireann operates a vast wastewater network nationally, incorporating more than 1,000 wastewater treatment plants, 2,300 pumping stations and over 26,000 kilometres of wastewater pipes.

Alongside investment in infrastructure, new organisational structures have been introduced to strengthen operational oversight, improve incident response and enhance the long-term resilience of wastewater assets.

Uisce Éireann is also reminding households and businesses that everyone can play a part in helping to protect the wastewater network.

Niall added:“One of the challenges we continue to face is inappropriate materials being put into the wastewater network, and we saw a number of these incidents during 2025.

“Simple actions at home and in businesses can make a real difference. Fats, oils, grease and other unsuitable materials can cause blockages and place additional pressure on the wastewater network. Disposing of these items correctly helps protect our infrastructure and allows us to focus our resources on maintaining and improving services for communities.”