An Cheathrú Rua Sewerage Scheme
Wastewater Project
Uisce Éireann is inviting members of the public to participate in a non-statutory public consultation on the proposed development of a new wastewater treatment plant and associated infrastructure to serve An Cheathrú Rua in Co Galway.
This essential project aims to improve water quality, protect the environment and support sustainable growth of local communities.
The four-week public consultation period runs from Wednesday, 3 June until Tuesday, 30 June.
As part of the public consultation, an in-person Public Information Event will be held.
How can I get involved?
There are various options to provide feedback and have your say:
- Provide written feedback via email to AnCheathruRuaSS@water.ie
- Attend the Public Information Event where you can meet the project team and ask any questions you may have on the proposed project.
Public Information Event
Date: Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Time: 4pm – 8pm
Venue: An Crumpán, An Cheathrú Rua (H91 X4WH)
Members of the project team will be available to provide information, answer questions and gather feedback.
E-mail submissions: AnCheathruRuaSS@water.ie
Your views are important and will help shape the development of this critical project.
Why is a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) needed at An Cheathrú Rua?
- All wastewater from the village is currently discharged untreated into Casla Bay at Céibh an tSrutháin
- An Cheathrú Rua is one of the few remaining areas in Ireland where raw sewage is discharged to the sea
- This current practice is unacceptable and does not comply with legislation
- A new wastewater treatment plant will protect public health, the local environment, and Casla Bay, which is classified as a ‘high-status’ coastal waterbody under the EPA’s Water Framework Directive
What are the benefits of the proposed project?
An Cheathrú Rua Sewerage Scheme - Frequently Asked Questions
An Cheathrú Rua currently has no wastewater treatment plant (WwTP), and all wastewater from the combined collection system is discharged untreated to Casla Bay via the existing outfall at Sruthán Pier. This project is required to address this by providing a new compliant WwTP to treat wastewater prior to discharge.
This will eliminate the direct discharge of untreated wastewater, improve water quality in Casla Bay, achieve compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) wastewater discharge license, and support the sustainable development of the An Cheathrú Rua agglomeration.
The works are expected to include the development of two separate sites, comprising a new wastewater treatment plant and a new wastewater pumping station (WwPS).
The project involves the delivery of a new wastewater treatment plant for the An Cheathrú Rua agglomeration, designed for a 25-year design load of 1,900 PE (population equivalent).
Associated works will include the construction of new pipeline infrastructure, including a rising main to pump wastewater from the pumping station to the WwTP, as well as a new treated effluent outfall to Casla Bay.
The overall investment forms part of Uisce Éireann’s national wastewater capital programme to address untreated agglomerations and achieve regulatory compliance.
The An Cheathrú Rua Sewerage Scheme project will be delivered in a number of defined stages. The project timeline is subject to statutory approvals, land acquisition, funding, and programme development.
It is currently estimated that an application for planning permission will be submitted in 2028.
Uisce Éireann will continue to provide updates to stakeholders as the project progresses.
At this stage of the project, potential impacts have not yet been assessed in detail. However, impacts typically associated with the construction of new wastewater infrastructure, such as traffic management, noise and construction activity, are anticipated.
These impacts will be assessed in detail and communicated to stakeholders once the preferred sites have been confirmed during the design stages.
Environmental assessment is central to the project and includes:
- A marine modelling scoping report to identify data gaps, receptors and modelling requirements.
- A review of bathymetry (surveys of depth to seabed), tidal levels, currents, hydrology, meteorology and water quality datasets.
- Consideration of Water Framework Directive status, including that Casla Bay is a high-status coastal waterbody.
- A review of nearby sensitive areas, including designated protected areas.
The current non-statutory public consultation period will remain open until Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Project information will be published on the Uisce Éireann website and it will be possible for members of the public to submit observations related to the proposed project at this location.
A dedicated project email address (AnCheathruRuass@water.ie) is provided to allow stakeholders to submit queries.
Once planning permission is submitted, the plans will be available for public viewing on the Galway County Council planning portal.
The Uisce Éireann project team can be contacted at AnCheathruRuass@water.ie.
The existing wastewater network in An Cheathrú Rua was constructed in the 1950s and upgraded in 2007. Wastewater from An Cheathrú Rua is currently collected in the public sewer system and discharged to the sea outfall to Casla Bay at Sruthán Pier.
There is currently no treatment of the wastewater prior to discharge to Casla Bay.
Uisce Éireann published a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to develop a Wastewater Treatment Plant for An Cheathrú Rua at a site at Sruthán Pier in September 2019. Following a decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for an alternative development on that site, Uisce Éireann withdrew its Compulsory Purchase Order for that site in March 2024.
A renewed site selection process is now underway to find a suitable site to treat sewage from An Cheathrú Rua.
We will continue to update the community and stakeholders as we progress this critical project.
