Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for local government who would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. It is a shame he was not here because were he here he could hear the passion with which the Deputy has spoken on behalf of his constituents. I thank him for bringing this important issue to the floor of the Dáil.

The Deputy will appreciate that the operation of the public water supply, together with operational issues locally are matters for Uisce Éireann, which has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. Under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, neither the Minister nor the Department has operational function in the matter to which the Deputy refers. However, the Minister has made inquiries and is informed by Uisce Éireann that an upgrade of the existing Macroom water treatment plant is planned to commence in the next few weeks. This upgrade will provide critical investment of more than €6.5 million which will benefit Macroom residents and businesses by ensuring compliance with current drinking water regulations, improving the drinking water quality and providing a safer more reliable water supply. The Macroom water supply is included on the Environmental Protection Agency's remedial action list, which identifies water supplies that need improvement. The planned upgrade will address these issues.

The Minister understands that Uisce Éireann provided an update on Macroom water treatment plant directly to the Deputy last month and has committed to continuing to provide updates to the Deputy as the works commence. Uisce Éireann has also committed to providing regular updates to the community and elected representatives regarding the progress of the water treatment plant upgrade.

The Minister welcomes this upgrade of the water treatment plant which, he understands, supplies a population of more than 4,000 across County Cork. The proposed upgrade will address the frequent boil water notices that the people of Macroom have experienced over the last number of years. In addition, Uisce Éireann also continues to progress a major €21 million upgrade to the Macroom wastewater treatment plant to protect the environment and support the long-term sustainable growth and development of Macroom. This project has reached a major milestone with more than 50% of the works now complete.

Throughout 2025, Macroom residents will begin benefitting from the upgrade as part of the new wastewater treatment plant comes into operation, improving the quality of treated water discharged into the river. This year, the old wastewater treatment plant will be decommissioned, allowing the new infrastructure to become fully operational next year. These two projects represent major investment by Uisce Éireann to support the long-term sustainable growth and development of Macroom.

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