€23m water scheme to open this week

The first phase of a €23 million water scheme which will enable major industrial and residential expansion in the South-East will be officially opened later this week.

The Belview Strategic Water Supply Scheme will service 240 hectares of industrial land near Belview Port on the outskirts of Waterford city and allow for the building of 10,000 additional houses in south Kilkenny and Waterford between now and 2031.

It represents an important element of the Invest Kilkenny initiative, launched by the local authorities in 2010 to promote the area as an ideal location for business.

The first phase will be opened on Friday by Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan along with senior IDA officials.

The scheme will provide 725,000 gallons of water per day, primarily for industrial and enterprise use and also for the people and community of south Kilkenny.

When all phases are completed an additional 3.3 million gallons of water a day will be made available to the region

It’s one of the largest water supply schemes to be built in Co Kilkenny, serving approximately 11,000 customers through 169km of pipework in the towns and villages of Mooncoin, Mullinavat, Kilmacow, Ferrybank, Slieverue and the surrounding areas.

Kilkenny city and county manager Joe Crocket says the water and wastewater infrastructure, combined with port and rail services, the IDA strategic landbank, and other serviced and zoned lands make Belview a superb business opportunity.

“This is a major strategic economic asset not just for Kilkenny, Waterford and the South-East region, but for the country as a whole at a time when attracting jobs is so important,” Mr Crocket said.