€13.4m Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Gets Underway in Castlemagner
€13.4m investment sees work begin on a new wastewater treatment plant in Castlemagner, boosting capacity, protecting waterways, and supporting future housing growth.
Works are getting underway on a major new wastewater treatment plant in Castlemagner, County Cork, marking a significant infrastructure milestone for the heritage village and the wider North Cork area.
The project forms part of Uisce Éireann’s national investment programme aimed at supporting housing delivery and sustainable community development. Backed by a €13.4 million investment, the upgrade will replace wastewater infrastructure dating back to the 1950s with a modern, high-capacity treatment facility.
Once complete, the new plant will increase wastewater treatment capacity from 50 to 500 population equivalent, enabling the system to handle ten times the current volume. This expansion is expected to support future housing, local services, and economic activity, while significantly improving environmental protection in the area.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne T.D., welcomed the commencement of works, highlighting the importance of resilient rural infrastructure. He said investment in modern wastewater systems is essential to allow villages like Castlemagner to grow in a planned and sustainable way, in line with the Government’s Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities.
The development includes a new wastewater treatment plant, a stormwater storage system, and an upgraded incoming sewer network. These improvements are designed to reduce flood risk during periods of heavy rainfall. A new outfall will discharge fully treated effluent to the Lisduggan North Stream, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and improved downstream water quality.
Sustainability is a central feature of the project. Innovative green measures will include sludge drying reed beds to cut energy use and transport emissions, alongside ground-mounted solar panels to generate renewable electricity on site. These features are intended to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, support biodiversity, and improve the long-term resilience of the facility.
Uisce Éireann Programme Manager, Darran O’Leary, said the investment would deliver lasting benefits for the community. He noted that increasing capacity while integrating sustainable technologies will protect local waterways and support future residential and business development in Castlemagner.
The project is being delivered by Glanua Ireland Ltd on behalf of Uisce Éireann. Construction is scheduled to commence in February 2026, with completion expected in early 2028.
Further project updates are available on the Uisce Éireann website at Castlemagner Wastewater Treatment Plant project page. More information on Uisce Éireann’s national programmes can be found at www.water.ie.
