Almost 27 years to the day from when the original plant was opened, a modern new upgraded wastewater treatment plant was officially unveiled at St. John’s, south of Enniscorthy, beside the River Slaney by local Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD.

Minister of State, Paul Kehoe TD paid tribute to all stakeholders involved for getting the project over the line and was optimistic for the future of the historic town. “The significant increase in the population equivalent in the wastewater treatment plant at St John’s means Enniscorthy can now cater for extra development and is definitely open for business. It also means that there is plenty of room to develop housing projects which is another key objective for the government.”

Minister Kehoe was joined by Irish Water’s General Manager Michael O’Leary, Wexford County Council Deputy Chief Executive Tony Larkin and Cathaoirleach of the Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr. Kathleen Codd-Nolan, as well as children from various sporting clubs around the town, emphasising a dedication to safeguarding our water for our future.

The new plant will bring significant benefits to the town, enhancing the local environment and providing the platform for ongoing growth and development. The ceremony took place at the Riverside Park Hotel followed by a plaque unveiling ceremony at the plant.

Wastewater expert and Infrastructure Programme Manager, Paul Fallon, said; “This is a great day for Enniscorthy. On behalf of Irish Water I am delighted to mark the opening of the upgraded wastewater treatment plant here in Enniscorthy, by the river Slaney.”

“It is a very important project for us to have completed in terms of protecting the environmental quality of the river Slaney. WWTP upgrade, together with a follow-on contract to upgrade the sewer network in the town, will ensure that Enniscorthy is fully complaint with the stringent requirements of the directive. It will also give a great boost to the social and economic development of the town.”

Eamonn Hore, Director of Services for Wexford County Council, described the event as “a red letter day for Enniscorthy.”I would very much like to welcome the early completion, some four months ahead of schedule of the €16.3m extension to the Enniscorthy wastewater treatment plant here in St John’s beside the river Slaney.

“This top quality, new facility will ensure that all the wastewater from Enniscorthy town will be treated to the highest EU standards, meeting all the EPA license requirements and environmental regulations. It also ensures that the quality of the water itself in the river Slaney continues to improve to benefit all the river users and all the plant and animal life within the river. The significant increase in capacity from 16,000 population equivalent (PE) to 26,000 PE, a 62.5% increase will ensure the future population and economic growth of Enniscorthy town and surrounding areas.”