Clancy Moore delivers landmark wastewater facility in Arklow with sea-green design

In a rare fusion of civil infrastructure and architectural design, Dublin-based Clancy Moore has completed a transformative wastewater treatment plant for Arklow, Ireland—marking the town’s first modern sewage system after decades of raw discharge into the River Avoca. Commissioned by Uisce Éireann, the €139 million facility incorporates a high-performance, vertically oriented system concealed behind striking sea-green fiber cement louvers. The plant was shaped with input from marine ecologists, odor engineers, and the local community, addressing operational, environmental, and aesthetic concerns.

Beyond restoring Arklow’s river and beaches, the project ends a longstanding development freeze and opens the door to future growth. Clancy Moore’s full integration into the plant’s operational planning—uncommon for infrastructure architects—sets a precedent for how public utilities and design can align to deliver both function and civic pride.

Read more on how design reshaped a town and its future.