Private sector role in wastewater infrastructure will accelerate housing delivery in Waterford

Uisce Éireann will help increase the development of wastewater infrastructure by working with the private sector, Waterford Fine Gael Minister John Cummins has said.

Minister Cummins said that serious action must be taken to ensure water services infrastructure does not constrain the delivery of housing, and approval by cabinet last week for changes to wastewater infrastructure will have major benefits for Waterford.

“While Uisce Éireann is a driving force in supporting the rollout of new housing, there are circumstances where the expansion of water infrastructure needs to be addressed by the private sector.

“Currently the private sector is developing water services network infrastructure to connect to the Uisce Éireann network and establish temporary wastewater treatment infrastructure in certain circumstances, but we need to expand the possible role of the private sector.

“Under these rules developers have to wait for Uisce Éireann to put wastewater infrastructure in place, which can seriously delay getting housing delivered in Waterford.

“Cabinet agreed that Uisce Éireann will have responsibility for securing compliance with wastewater discharge regulations and will take ownership of the infrastructure for its future operation and maintenance.

“We will ensure information to planning authorities for wastewater treatment for smaller scale multi-unit housing developments are clear to both planners and developers.

“Uisce Éireann will develop a partnership approach with private developers. It will sign-off on all designs, installation works, and connections prior to commissioning and transfer.

“This will have a huge impact on getting more homes built in Waterford and ensuring major improvements to our wastewater infrastructure,” concluded Minister Cummins.