Macroom Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

Uisce Éireann have recently reached a major milestone in the €21 million upgrade the wastewater treatment plant at Macroom with the project now passing 50% complete.

Once operational, the modernised wastewater treatment plant will ensure environmental compliance with national and EU regulations, protect water quality in the Sullane River, and will also support the long-term sustainable growth and development of Macroom.

Glanua are carrying out these works on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

• Decommissioning of the existing plant and its associated structures.
• Construction of a new facility in Macroom to serve a population equivalent of 7700.
• New Inlet Works, Stormwater tank, biological treatment process, Control Building, Sludge storage & Solar Panel farm.
• Connection to the existing outfall pipe to safely discharge treated wastewater into the Sullane River.

When complete, this project will;

• Modernise and improve the performance of the wastewater treatment infrastructure in Macroom.
• Consistently improve the quality of treated water discharged into the Sullane River.
• Increase the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant, which will accommodate further growth in the Macroom area.
• Safeguard human and environmental health.
• Ensure compliance with National and European regulatory standards regarding the treatment of wastewater.

• Works progressed well to date with significant progress made and the project surpassing 50% complete.
• Several of the new concrete structures have been constructed and ready for mechanical fit out. 

• A staged switch over from the existing to parts of the new WWTP has commenced in mid 2025, improving the quality of treated water discharged into the Sullane River
• Works will then commence on decommissioning the existing WWTP, to make further make way for the new WWTP ahead of full switchover and operation in 2026.