PLANS for a multi-million euro upgrade to Limerick’s Waste Water Treatment Plant have been given the green light today, marking one of the largest investments by Uisce Éireann in the Mid West to date.
The Government has approved an investment of over €250m of the Preliminary Business Case for an upgraded Waste Water Treatment Plant and associated Bioresource Centre for Limerick City.
The existing Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) at Bunlicky has been serving Limerick since the early 2000’s.
Uisce Éireann has identified the plant as a priority need for upgrade to facilitate the increasing population of the city and its environs.
Minister of State for Older People and Housing Kieran O’Donnell TD emphasised:Â “The Bunlicky Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade project represents a major investment in Limerick City, and the Mid-West. A new, state-of-the art treatment plant will boost economic activity and employment during construction, and on completion, will provide capacity for further economic and industrial development together with the delivery of housing in Limerick and its environs, underpinning the future of the city as it grows.”
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD also commented on the news: “As reflected in our new Housing Action Plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, infrastructure is key to meeting our ambitious housing targets.  The population of Limerick is projected to grow 50% by 2040, and the upgrade of  Bunlicky Wastewater Treatment Plant by Uisce Éireann will play a key role in facilitating the growth of the city and its environs, including the delivery of many more new homes in and around Limerick.
“Under the revised National Development Plan, a record investment of €12.2 billion is being made in the water sector. The vast majority of this funding will be allocated to Uisce Éireann, to support the delivery of a wide range of projects in our cities and regions. This fantastic new infrastructure for Limerick is a perfect example of this and I look forward to seeing further such positive developments over the lifetime of the NDP”, Minister Browne added.
CEO of Uisce Éireann Niall Gleeson is also welcoming the news and says engagement with local residents and stakeholders through information sessions have commenced. They are also preparing their overall planning application which will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála in the coming months.”
Uisce Éireann will proceed to advance a Detailed Business Case and then a Final Business Case. The Final Business Case will include a full project cost, following planning approval and procurement processes.
Construction, subject to statutory approvals being achieved without delays, is expected to commence in 2028.