Local knowledge and experience is being sought to help shape a wastewater services plan that supports communities, protects the environment and helps direct future investment where it can make the greatest difference.
Uisce Éireann is inviting people across the country to help shape the future of wastewater services in small towns and villages. A new national plan is being developed to help ensure communities have the wastewater infrastructure they need to support homes, businesses and sustainable growth, while continuing to protect the environment.
The Small Wastewater Treatment Plants National Plan: ‘Supporting Communities while Protecting our Natural Environment’, will help shape how wastewater services in small communities are planned and delivered into the future. In inviting submissions on the plan, Uisce Éireann wants to hear from people who live, work and spend time in these communities.
TARGETING COMMUNITIES OF LESS THAN 1,000
The new plan will focus on wastewater treatment plants serving communities of less than 1,000 population equivalent (PE), meaning plants that treat wastewater with a similar organic load to that produced by fewer than 1,000 people, or approximately 350 homes.
Uisce Éireann is responsible for over 1,000 wastewater treatment plants across Ireland, including approximately 800 small wastewater treatment plants. Small wastewater treatment plants represent the majority of wastewater treatment plants operated by Uisce Éireann by number, and while they account for only around 4% of the total treated wastewater load, they can still have important local water quality impacts.
The plan will provide a clearer and more consistent way of identifying where upgrades are needed, how they should be assessed, and how investment can be targeted where it will have the greatest benefit for communities and the environment. The plan is intended to move from a reactive, site-by-site approach towards a more coordinated, nationally consistent and evidence-led way of planning wastewater services. It will use information on treatment plant performance, available capacity, local water quality, environmental requirements and future development needs to help guide future investment and decision-making.
“Small towns and villages are central to the social and economic life of Ireland. They deserve wastewater services that support their communities, protect the environment and provide certainty for the future,” Stephen Seymour, Uisce Éireann’s Head of Asset Management, said. “This plan will help us take a more consistent, transparent and long-term approach to planning for wastewater services in small communities. Before we develop the draft plan, we want to hear from the people who know these places best. Their views will help us better understand local issues, environmental priorities, opportunities and community needs.”
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes will support the development of the plan from the outset, helping to ensure environmental protection is built into it as it evolves. It will be developed in line with Irish and European environmental legislation, national policy and long-term strategic plans.
Feedback received during this consultation will help inform the next stage of work, including the preparation of a draft national framework that will be published for further consultation before the plan is finalised.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Uisce Eireann now welcome submissions from members of the public, community groups, environmental organisations, local authorities, business representatives, elected representatives and other interested stakeholders.
The consultation documents, including the Issues Paper, SEA Scoping Report and AA Screening Report, are available at www.water.ie/smallcommunitiesww
Submissions can be made by e-mail to smallcommunitiesww@water.ie or by post to Small Wastewater Treatment Plants National Plan, Enterprise Fund Business Centre, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (F92 AF43). Submissions can be made until Tuesday, 20th October, 2026.
