Sod turned on €29m project in Mayo
Pictured at the official sod-turning ceremony for upgrade works to the Lough Mask Water Treatment Plant in Tourmakeady on Friday afternoon were, from left: Maura Kilcommons, Head of Health and Safety, Uisce Éireann; Cllr Seán Carey, Cathaoirleach, Mayo County Council; Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD; Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary TD; and Sean Laffey, Asset Management and Sustainability Director, Uisce Éireann. Picture: Naoise Culhane
A long-awaited upgrade of one of the largest water treatment plants in the West has commenced.
More than 42,000 Uisce Éireann customers across counties Mayo, Roscommon and Galway get their water supply from the Lough Mask (Tourmakeady) Water Treatment Plant. Last Friday afternoon, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne and Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary, joined with local elected representatives, Uisce Éireann representatives and plant operatives at the official sod turning for a €29 million upgrade, which will provide capacity to cater for the equivalent of an additional 20,000 houses.
Uisce Éireann’s Programme Manager, Ian Walsh, highlighted the benefits of the project.
“As this region continues to grow and develop, so too must our water infrastructure. Demand is increasing and the standards we must meet are ever higher. This project is about ensuring a safe, sustainable and resilient supply for the future. That’s why we are investing €29 million to upgrade this facility and increase its capacity from 40 to 50 million litres per day."
The plant currently produces around 40 million litres of clean drinking water each day, serving Castlebar, parts of Westport, multiple regional towns and villages from Cong to Ballyhaunis and surrounding areas, including numerous group water schemes.
The event was a proud day for the diligent operatives at Lough Mask Water Treatment Plant. Paul Thomas, Michael Conway, Michéal Lally, and PJ Sheridan each have deep connections to the plant. Michéal Lally is proudly following in his father Frank's footsteps. Frank, the first caretaker at the plant, retired in 2022 after nearly 38 years.
Minister Browne noted that investment and delivery in water and wastewater services benefits all aspects of life in Ireland.
“Strategic infrastructure investment like water is essential in addressing and responding to our housing crisis. We need it to build homes at pace and at scale, and that’s what I am determined to see here in Mayo as well as across the country. We must simultaneously safeguard our environment while responding to population increases as well as local need.
“This facility currently supports a population of 42,000, with the potential to expand its capacity to supply an additional 20,000 houses when this upgrade is complete.”
Minister Dara Calleary added: “Investing in our water infrastructure is crucial for the health, prosperity, and sustainability of our communities. This project demonstrates the Government’s commitment to a resilient and thriving future."
Veolia Water is carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann which is due for completion in 2028.
