Uisce Éireann

Uisce Éireann is Ireland’s national water utility, responsible for public water and wastewater services and operating as a large-scale infrastructure-intensive authority with a multi‑billion euro capital programme for 2025–2029.[1][11][14] Its core functions include the planning, delivery and operation of drinking water and wastewater networks, compliance with environmental and regulatory standards, and supporting national housing and economic growth objectives.[1][8][14] Procurement activity is dominated by major **construction and civil engineering** projects (treatment plants, networks, drainage schemes), **mechanical & electrical and process engineering**, and long‑term **operations and maintenance** and specialist technical services.[1][3][7] It also runs substantial competitions for IT systems, data services, corporate support services and security, reflecting its scale as a national utility.[3][5][7]

Strategic Context

Uisce Éireann’s Strategic Funding Plan 2025–2029 sets out a multi‑annual requirement of €16.9 billion to 2029, comprising €10.3 billion for infrastructure and assets and €6.6 billion for operating costs, underpinned by Exchequer support and borrowing.[11][9][14] A refreshed Capital Investment Plan (Revenue Control Period 4, 2025–2029) and a €10.2 billion national investment programme for 2025–2029 are focused on environmental compliance, resilience, climate adaptation and performance improvements across water and wastewater services.[1][4][6][8][14] In July 2025 and July 2026 Government approved an additional €2 billion capital funding package under the National Development Plan, ring‑fenced to increase water services capacity for housing via the Growth Investment Programme and Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme, with drawdown scheduled between 2027 and 2030.[1][2][10][14]

Typical Suppliers

Large water and wastewater engineering and operations firms delivering design–build–operate (DBO) treatment plants and network schemes, such as Veolia Water Ireland on Group B Donegal sewerage schemes.[3][13]
Major multi‑disciplinary engineering consultancies and client‑partner joint ventures for strategic projects, e.g. RPS Group, Atkins Ireland and Long O’Donnell for the Water Supply Project Eastern & Midlands Region.[3][7]
Specialist IT and data service providers supplying core systems (HR, payroll, leakage management, meter data management) and data centre/colocation services, including IBM Ireland, Core Computer Consultants, Crowder & Co, Morrison Data Services and Equinix Ireland.[3][5]
Civil engineering and materials suppliers on framework arrangements, for example contractors providing physical security installations and aggregates through multi‑party frameworks.[5]
A mix of regional contractors and service providers participating in multi‑lot frameworks for sewer rehabilitation, pipe‑laying and local capital works.[3][7]

Supplier Tips

Position offerings around Uisce Éireann’s long‑term capital investment cycles (RC4 2025–2029 and the €10.2 billion national investment programme) and housing‑linked growth programmes, and prepare early for large design‑and‑build and framework tenders given the scale and technical/financial qualification requirements.[1][4][6][7][11]
Demonstrate strong capability in regulatory compliance, environmental performance, climate resilience and asset management, aligning bids with the authority’s focus on high‑value outputs, risk management and value for money in capital plans and strategic funding.[1][8][11][14]
For non‑construction categories (IT, data services, corporate systems), emphasise proven delivery of complex national‑scale solutions, robust security and resilience, and ability to integrate with existing utility infrastructure, as evidenced by recent awards for HR/payroll systems, leakage management and data centre services.[3][5][7]

Updated 23 August 2026

The most recent Uisce Éireann tenders subscribers were alerted to: