Wastewater plant approved for Cork village will allow its population grow by nearly a half

By Peter McCarthy, Corkman

Cork County Council has granted Uisce Eireann planning permission to develop a new wastewater treatment plant in Castlemagner to replace the existing public and private systems in the North Cork village.

The new plant will be built on a 1.75-hectare site around 280 metres south of the village and close to the publicly-operated plant built in the 1950s, which it will replace along with the privately-operated system in the Churchfield residential development that contains the majority of the village’s homes.

Solar panels will provide up to 10pc of the energy requirements of the facility. Construction is expected to commence shortly and last for approximately 24 months.

The upgrade will add additional wastewater treatment capacity within the village and facilitate future development up to a population of 500 people, the national water utility said. The village, near Kanturk, currently has a population of around 350 people. The project will be delivered under Uisce Eireann’s Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme.

The news was welcomed by local TD John Paul O’Shea who described it as a "hugely positive development for Castlemagner. The current wastewater infrastructure has long needed replacement, and this project represents a vital investment in public health, environmental protection, and the long-term sustainability of the village. I am delighted to see this progress and want to acknowledge the work of all those involved in bringing the project to this important stage.”

The Cork North West TD for Fine Gael added that the inclusion of solar panels demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing operational energy costs and supporting climate-friendly infrastructure.

“This project reflects a forward-thinking approach — modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible. I look forward to its advancement and to seeing the long-term benefits it will deliver for the community,” he said.