Big growth of Laois county town spelled out in Uisce Éireann's Portlaoise plans

An upgrade in Portlaoise's sewerage work will increase its capacity to treat wastewater produced by a population of nearly 45,500, according to Uisce Éireann.

The need to expand the plant on the Ridge Road is outlined in an engineering report submitted by Ireland's water utility, outlining the public need for an overhaul of the Portlaoise Waste Water Treatment Plant was modernised in 2009.

"Following the proposed upgrade of the plant, it will be able to cater for wastewater flows from Portlaoise up to the year 2051. The capacity of the upgraded plant will be 45,480 population equivalent (PE)," says the report.

Uisce Éireann explain that the Laois County Town needs an updated facility to cope with growth.

"Portlaoise is as a Key Town in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Eastern and Midlands Region (2019-2031).

"Key Towns are defined as large economically active service and/or county towns that provide employment for their surrounding areas and with high-quality transport links and the capacity to act as growth drivers to complement the Regional Growth Centres.

"Portlaoise Town has witnessed significant growth in the last 20 years and the population of the town is projected to continue to grow, to almost 24,000 in the Portlaoise Local Area Plan 2024-2030, and beyond that at similar growth rates," it states.

Uisce Éireann says the other main aim of the project is to improve the standard of wastewater treatment prior to discharge to the River Triogue, to meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive.

Uisce Éireann says the Portlaoise WwTP was originally constructed and commissioned in 1980 and was upgraded in 2009 to bring the treatment capacity of the plant up to 39,000 population equivalent.

The documentation accompanied a Uisce Éireann Compulsory Purchase Order application to An Coimisiún Pleanála for lands to facilitate the upgrade.  

READ ALSO: Laois targeted for rent action after soaring rise revealed

Laois County Council engaged Murphy to deliver a major refurbishment and expansion of Portlaoise Wastewater Treatment Plant for €18 m. The project upgraded capacity from 26,000 PE to 39,000 PE. The site was also developed as a sludge hub for final processing of sludge from across the Midlands.

Murphy continues to manage the facility under the public-private partnership.

A separation contract was awarded at the time of upgrade for a major sewage system overhaul around the town, which saw 20km of pipeline laid throughout Portlaoise and its environs.