€13.5 Million Castlemartyr Wastewater Upgrade Completed to Support Approximately 500 New Homes

The €13.5 million upgrade to Castlemartyr Wastewater Treatment Plant has been completed, giving the East Cork village the wastewater infrastructure needed to support housing and future growth. Uisce Éireann says the project will also improve water quality in the River Kiltha.

The upgrade has increased treatment capacity from 2,000 to 3,400 population equivalent, which is the equivalent of approximately 500 new homes. The works included new inlet works, a new storm tank, enhanced treatment processes, and a connection to the existing outfall pipe. The project was delivered in collaboration with Uisce Éireann’s delivery partner, EPS Ltd.

The Castlemartyr upgrade follows the recent completion of the Ballycotton and Whitegate-Aghada Sewerage Schemes. Together, the three projects represent an investment of over €42 million in strengthening wastewater infrastructure across East Cork.

Welcoming the completion, James Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said:

“We have to invest in modern, resilient wastewater infrastructure. It’s essential to support homes, businesses and for communities to develop. The increased treatment capacity in Castlemartyr can now support future housing delivery and sustainable growth - and I am determined to see this happen. Crucially, this investment is a shared commitment to safeguarding the environment while at the same time unlocking housing and services for Castlemartyr and the surrounding areas.”

Esther White, Programme Manager, Uisce Éireann, said:

“This investment is about much more than upgrading a wastewater treatment plant. It is about putting the essential infrastructure in place to help Castlemartyr grow and thrive, supporting new homes and development while improving water quality in the River Kiltha and delivering lasting benefits for the local environment. Together, the completion of this €13.5 million upgrade, alongside recently completed wastewater projects in Ballycotton and Whitegate-Aghada, are creating the capacity and resilience needed across East Cork.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified Ballycotton and Whitegate-Aghada as two of 50 locations nationwide where untreated wastewater was being discharged into rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Twelve of the 50 locations identified were in County Cork.

The €16.3 million Ballycotton and €12.7 million Whitegate-Aghada Sewerage Schemes were completed in recent months. These projects brought over a decade of wastewater upgrades across Cork County to a close, with approximately €235 million invested in 12 locations countywide to eliminate raw sewage discharges.

More information is available at water.ie.