Laois Offaly town faces 'water constraints' as population surges

Portarlington has ‘issues’ with its water supply to cope with the surge in population of the Laois Offaly town with investment needed, according to Laois and Offaly county councils.

The local authorities has highlighted what Uisce Éireann(Irish Water) has identified as constraints in a new draft plan for the town where the population has grown phenomenally to nearly 9,300 according to the most recent Census.

Public consultation on the Draft Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan 2025–2031 has commenced with water supply identified as an issue that will require investment of public money.

“Uisce Éireann have indicated that there are some constraints in the water network and that a project is currently being planned to address this issue.

“In terms of water supply, Uisce Éireann have indicated that capacity constraints exist and that connection applications will be assessed on an individual basis considering their specific load requirements.

“A Level of Service (LoS) improvement will therefore be required to meet 2032 population targets. Improvement proposals will include leakage reduction and/or capital investment and are required to maintain/improve levels of service as demand increases,” it said.

The draft plan adds that Uisce Éireann has indicated that these proposals will be developed and prioritised through the National Water Resources Plan and investment planning process.

Portarlington is supplied by water treatment plants at La Bergerie which produces approximately 1,400 m3/day of water and Doolough which produces approximately 450 m3/day of water) and Ballymorris Treatment Plant.

As for waste wastewater the town’s treatment plant is located off the Lea Road and provides treatment for the sewage  effluent generated by Portarlington, Ballybrittas and Killenard.

The draft plan says it has a capacity of 13,000 population equivalent. Uisce Éireann wastewater capacity register indicates that capacity exists in the wastewater treatment plant for the projected population growth in Portarlington.

However, the plan adds that Laois and Offaly councils will require new developments to be served by existing wastewater treatment facilities, where possible.

Uisce Éireann has also indicated that there are issues with stormwater overflows from the combined sewer system in Portarlington. It says there is a Drainage Area Plan underway that will investigate these issues.

In the interim, to allow some phased development to go ahead, it will be necessary to remove stormwater from the system. In this regard, Uisce Éireann has advised the councils that the upgrading of the pumping station at the swimming pool is likely to be required.

Given that the Portarlington Local Area Plan 2025- 2031 upgrades may take several years to complete, the draft plan indicates that promotion of storm water separation and widespread adoption of blue-green infrastructure in the town, would take pressure off the combined sewer network, contribute to climate resilience and in addition generate capacity for compact growth.

The draft plan adds that Laois and Offaly councils will require new developments to separate foul and surface water drainage systems and to incorporate water sensitive urban design and nature-based Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.

Census 2022 indicated that Portarlington has a total population of 9,288 people. This represents a 10.9% increase in population since Census 2016. The population was just over 4,000 in 2002.

The Draft Plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of Portarlington, in the context of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027, the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2019-2031.