Contractor appointed for Mountbellew sewerage works upgrades
Project due to start before end of 2026
A CONTRACTOR for the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant in Mountbellew has been appointed, with work set to commence as soon as possible.
Uisce Éireann have provided an update on the project to Galway East TD Louis O’Hara, who had contacted the State-run organisation following queries from local constituents.
They advised Deputy O'Hara that the tender process for the project has now been completed, and contracts have been signed. The appointed contractor is expected to commence work on the plant before the end of the year.
“This is a really important project for the town of Mountbellew to support its future growth, particularly in terms of housing,” said the Athenry TD.
“I will continue engaging with Uisce Éireann until this project is delivered and look forward to seeing the scheme completed in future.”
Two separate housing developments, totalling 69 dwellings, were granted planning permission in Mountbellew earlier this year by Galway County Council.
A condition of planning permission was included in both decisions by local authority planners that none of the dwellings are to be occupied until the developments are connected to the upgraded Mountbellew wastewater treatment plant, unless otherwise agreed with the County Council.
Uisce Éireann are also working on delivering the Ballygar Sewerage Scheme project. The project will involve upgrades to the existing Ballygar Wastewater Treatment Plant and will increase the load capacity of the plant to cater for current and future population growth.
According to an update provided by Roscommon-Galway TD Martin Daly in July, the works are set to begin in the near future. It will take approximately 24 months to complete, with the current plant continuing to operate during the upgrade.
The cost of both the Ballygar and Mountbellew projects combined is expected to be approximately €40million.
“It has been 20 years since any new houses have been built in Ballygar. This needs to change but won’t until the upgraded wastewater facilities are in place,” Moylough-based Councillor Michael Connolly told the Tuam Herald.
“People want to build in these areas. They want to get planning permission and there is plenty of lands zoned for housing in Mountbellew and Ballygar, but wastewater concerns have stopped developments from proceeding.
“Hopefully we can get the diggers in place quickly, proceed with construction of the wastewater upgrades and move forward with further housing developments in this part of Galway.”
Uisce Éireann had been given the green light to proceed with the upgrades to the Mountbellew wastewater treatment plant by An Coimisiún Pleanála in August of 2022 before a fresh planning application was lodged.
A spokesperson for Uisce Éireann previously told The Tuam Herald that they had submitted a new planning application in 2025 for the additional works at the wastewater treatment plant.
The new plans would help them to meet the Water Framework Directive (WFD) requirements, and the new Wastewater Discharge License (WWDL) Emission Limit Values (ELVs).
“This is something that has been on the agenda for the last 25 years, even before I became an elected representative. I’m delighted to see it is finally coming to fruition,” added Cllr Connolly.
“This is good news for the parish of Mountbellew and the wider area too, especially those who are keen to build new homes. It will lead to more homes and help those people looking to get on the property ladder for the first time."