Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy Open for Public Consultation
Uisce Éireann | Public consultation open from 28 May 2026 to 23 July 2026
Uisce Éireann has launched an eight-week public consultation on the Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy, inviting residents, businesses, community organisations and stakeholders to help shape the future of wastewater infrastructure across Galway City, its suburbs, Athenry and Moycullen. The consultation, which runs from 28 May to 23 July 2026, represents a significant milestone in planning wastewater services to support population growth, environmental protection and climate resilience through to 2080.
The strategy has been developed in response to projected population growth in Galway, which is expected to increase by approximately 40% between 2022 and 2040. As identified in the National Planning Framework 2040, Galway is one of Ireland’s fastest-growing urban areas and a key economic driver for the western region. Uisce Éireann’s draft proposals aim to ensure wastewater infrastructure can accommodate future housing, commercial development and industrial growth while meeting environmental and regulatory requirements.
The Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy examines existing infrastructure across the Galway Metropolitan Area and identifies a number of major investment priorities. Central to the strategy is the proposed development of a new Regional Galway East Wastewater Treatment Plant, which would provide long-term treatment capacity, resilience and environmental protection for the region. The draft also proposes short-term capacity enhancements at the Mutton Island and Athenry wastewater treatment plants, planned within the 2040 investment cycle. Over time, wastewater flows would gradually transfer from Mutton Island and Athenry to the new regional facility, while wastewater treatment services at Moycullen and Baile Chláir (Claregalway) would continue with future upgrades guided by population and economic growth forecasts.
According to Uisce Éireann, the strategy seeks to provide the wastewater infrastructure required to support economic development, facilitate housing delivery, protect sensitive environmental resources and strengthen climate resilience across Galway and surrounding communities. The Draft Strategy is published alongside a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement (NIS), providing a detailed assessment of potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures.
Members of the public are encouraged to review the consultation documents and share their views before the closing date. Full details and consultation materials are available through Uisce Éireann’s Draft Galway Wastewater Strategy consultation webpage. Submissions can be made online at consult.water.ie, by email to gws@water.ie, or by post to Uisce Éireann, Galway Wastewater Strategy, 1 Galway Business Park, Upper Newcastle Road, Dangan, Galway, H91 A3EF. A public webinar will also be held during the consultation period, with registration details to be published on the consultation website. The consultation closes at midnight on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
The Public Consultation Institute of Ireland (PCII) is committed to engaging citizens and empowering communities through the use of emerging technologies, which are transforming how the Government and citizens communicate and interact. PCII’s mission is to bring more people into the public participatory process. Not only will this expand informed public engagement, early studies suggest that it is likely to enhance the diversity and quality of participation. View a list of public consultations currently open at https://www.publicconsultation.ie/haveyoursay