ONE in four waste-water treatment plants are discharging raw sewage into the sea and rivers without carrying out treatment, posing serious public health risks.
And more than half of all plants surveyed by an environmental watchdog are failing to treat waste water to EU standards.
A new report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also revealed that major towns, including Bray, Clifden and Kinsale, do not treat waste to the required safety standards. The 'Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland' report, to be published today, found that even when multi-million euro plants were built, some local authorities were failing to monitor the water quality, despite it costing just €600 per year.
Analysed
The report, which covers 2006 and 2007, analysed 370 treatment plants serving 482 villages, towns and cities with populations of over 500.
It found:
* Waste water from 192 treatment plants (51pc) did not meet the EU quality standards due to plants either not operating properly or being overloaded.
* Waste water was being discharged with either no treatment or basic treatment at 112 locations at the end of 2007.
* As of June 2009, 93 of these locations remain without treatment or with just basic treatment. In the majority of cases these discharges are to estuarine or coastal waters.
* 158 locations were required to have secondary treatment or higher by December 2005 to comply with EU law. As of June 2009, 20 did not.
* 90pc of waste water in the country received secondary treatment or better. This means that the water was biologically treated to kill dangerous bugs.
The EPA has new powers to take local authorities to court for failing to ensure standards are met. Yesterday it warned that senior managers could be held personally responsible for failed treatment plants.
"Continued investment in waste-water treatment is required, as well as a dramatic improvement by local authorities in the operation and monitoring of existing waste water treatment infrastructure," EPA Programme Manager Gerard O'Leary said yesterday.
Environment Minister John Gormley last night said the fact that 25pc of the non-compliance levels were attributed to insufficient levels of sampling was "unacceptable".
"The report highlights the need for continued investment in waste-water treatment infrastructure if we are to achieve the standards required by EU and national legislation," he said.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label sewage treatment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewage treatment. Show all posts
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Sewage plants waste water not reaching EU standards
WASTE WATER from more than half of the country’s sewage treatment plants failed to reach EU quality standards in 2006 and 2007, according to a report released yesterday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
And only one local authority fully complied with the requirements of the EU urban waste water treatment directive.
Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland reviewed the quality of discharges from 370 secondary waste-water treatment plants around the country.
While it found that 90 per cent of waste water in the country received secondary treatment or better, in over half the plants, 192, the discharge did not meet EU standards. These included the Ringsend plant in Dublin and nine plants in Galway.
In a further 112 areas, waste water was discharged directly into estuaries or coastal waters with either basic treatment or no treatment at all in 2007. To date, this has continued in 93 locations.
Among the locations with the largest populations receiving little or no treatment were Killybegs in the Donegal County Council area, Shanganagh in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and Bray, Wicklow town and Arklow in Co Wicklow. These were among 20 areas required by the directive to have secondary treatment plants in place by the end of 2005 and still do not have them.
While many of the 20 are now under construction, it is expected that some will not be built until 2013, eight-years later than required.
The report found only one local authority, Longford County Council, fully complied with the requirements of the directive.
Insufficient or incorrect sampling accounted for a quarter of the non-compliances. Other problems included poor sludge management and inadequate collecting systems for waste water.
The report listed 13 rivers “seriously polluted” by municipal waste water, including three in Donegal.
Gerard O’Leary, programme manager with the EPA, said the compliance levels for waste water quality were very disappointing. The discharge from plants only needed to be analysed 12 times a year at a cost of €50 a month, so it was difficult to understand why this was not being done, he said.
“Continued investment in waste water treatment is required, as well as a dramatic improvement by local authorities in the operation and monitoring of existing water treatment infrastructure,” he said.
Mr O’Leary also said the Ringsend plant was currently operating beyond its design capacity and would struggle to meet discharge standards. While the plant served 2.87 million people, it was designed to serve 1.64 million.
Other plants too small for the population they serve included plants at Kenmare, Co Kerry, Enniscrone, Co Sligo and Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Mr O’Leary said the 18-year-old directive did not include sanctions, but new regulations introduced in late 2007 established a licensing system for sewage treatment plants. The authority will eventually be able to prosecute if plants do not comply with the conditions of these licences.
This could result in fines of between €5,000 and €500,000 imposed on local authorities.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley expressed concern at the levels of non-compliance with the standards and said it was unacceptable that 25 per cent could be attributed to insufficient sampling by local authorities.
“I will be instructing my department to engage with the EPA and with the local authorities in order to identify and agree procedures including training and up-skilling of operators which will assist individual waste-water treatment facilities to comply with the regulatory standards and with discharge licences and sampling requirements,” the Minister said.
Plants that discharge directly into estuaries or coastal waters with just basic treatment or no treatment
Preliminary treatment
To screen out, grind up or separate debris is the first step in waste water treatment. Sticks, rags, large food particles, sand, gravel, toys etc are removed at this stage.
Primary treatment
Second step in treatment which separates suspended solids and greases from waste water
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Clarecastle (no treatment); Corofin (primary treatment); Kilkee (no treatment); Kilrush (no treatment); Scarriff (primary treatment).
CORK (SOUTH) COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballingeary (primary treatment); Ballymakeera (primary treatment); Carrigaline (no treatment); Coachford (primary treatment); Cobh (no treatment); Crosshaven (preliminary treatment); Innishannon (primary treatment); Kinsale (preliminary treatment); Passage/Monkstown (no treatment); Youghal (no treatment).
CORK (WEST) COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballydehob (primary treatment); Baltimore (primary treatment); Bantry (no treatment); Castletownbere (no treatment); Courtmacsherry (no treatment); Glengarriff (primary treatment); Rosscarbery/Owenahincha (primary treatment); Schull (primary treatment); Skibbereen (no treatment).
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Buncrana (primary treatment); Bundoran (preliminary treatment); Carrigart (primary treatment); Castlefinn (primary treatment); Convoy (primary treatment); Downings (primary treatment); Dunfanaghy/Portnablagh (primary treatment); Dungloe (primary treatment); Dunkineeley (primary treatment); Falcarragh (primary treatment); Glenties (primary treatment); Kilcar (preliminary treatment); Killybegs (no treatment); Lifford (primary treatment); Moville (no treatment); Ramelton (primary treatment); Rathmullan (primary treatment); Rathmullan (primary treatment).
DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL
Shanganagh (preliminary treatment).
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Howth/Baldoyle/Portmarnock (no treatment); Loughshinny (primary treatment); Rush (no treatment); Lusk (primary treatment).
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL
Ahascragh (preliminary treatment); Clifden (primary treatment); Clonbur (preliminary treatment); Dunmore (primary treatment); Eyrecourt (primary treatment); Glenamaddy (primary treatment).
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
Ardfert (primary treatment); Ballyduff (primary treatment); Ballyferriter (primary treatment); Ballylongford (primary treatment); Fenit (primary treatment); Glenbeigh (primary treatment); Tarbert (primary treatment); Waterville (primary treatment).
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballymore Eustace (primary treatment).
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
Bennettsbridge (primary treatment); Johnstown (primary treatment).
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL
Foynes (no treatment); Glin (no treatment).
LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Drumlish (primary treatment); Newtownforbes (primary treatment).
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
Collon (no treatment); Knockbridge (no treatment).
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL
Belmullet (no treatment); Killala (no treatment); Kiltimagh (primary treatment); Newport (no treatment).
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL
Mullaghmore (primary treatment); Rosses Point (primary treatment).
TIPPERARY SOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
Cappawhite (primary treatment).
WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Ardmore (preliminary treatment); Cappoquin (primary treatment); Dunmore East (preliminary treatment); Kilmacthomas (primary treatment); Stradbally (primary treatment); Tallow (primary treatment).
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Bunclody (primary treatment); Campile (primary treatment); Duncannon (no treatment) Fethard-on-Sea (primary treatment); Kilmore Quay (no treatment); New Ross (no treatment).
WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL
Arklow (no treatment); Avoca (primary treatment); Bray (preliminary treatment); Wicklow (preliminary treatment).
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
And only one local authority fully complied with the requirements of the EU urban waste water treatment directive.
Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland reviewed the quality of discharges from 370 secondary waste-water treatment plants around the country.
While it found that 90 per cent of waste water in the country received secondary treatment or better, in over half the plants, 192, the discharge did not meet EU standards. These included the Ringsend plant in Dublin and nine plants in Galway.
In a further 112 areas, waste water was discharged directly into estuaries or coastal waters with either basic treatment or no treatment at all in 2007. To date, this has continued in 93 locations.
Among the locations with the largest populations receiving little or no treatment were Killybegs in the Donegal County Council area, Shanganagh in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and Bray, Wicklow town and Arklow in Co Wicklow. These were among 20 areas required by the directive to have secondary treatment plants in place by the end of 2005 and still do not have them.
While many of the 20 are now under construction, it is expected that some will not be built until 2013, eight-years later than required.
The report found only one local authority, Longford County Council, fully complied with the requirements of the directive.
Insufficient or incorrect sampling accounted for a quarter of the non-compliances. Other problems included poor sludge management and inadequate collecting systems for waste water.
The report listed 13 rivers “seriously polluted” by municipal waste water, including three in Donegal.
Gerard O’Leary, programme manager with the EPA, said the compliance levels for waste water quality were very disappointing. The discharge from plants only needed to be analysed 12 times a year at a cost of €50 a month, so it was difficult to understand why this was not being done, he said.
“Continued investment in waste water treatment is required, as well as a dramatic improvement by local authorities in the operation and monitoring of existing water treatment infrastructure,” he said.
Mr O’Leary also said the Ringsend plant was currently operating beyond its design capacity and would struggle to meet discharge standards. While the plant served 2.87 million people, it was designed to serve 1.64 million.
Other plants too small for the population they serve included plants at Kenmare, Co Kerry, Enniscrone, Co Sligo and Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Mr O’Leary said the 18-year-old directive did not include sanctions, but new regulations introduced in late 2007 established a licensing system for sewage treatment plants. The authority will eventually be able to prosecute if plants do not comply with the conditions of these licences.
This could result in fines of between €5,000 and €500,000 imposed on local authorities.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley expressed concern at the levels of non-compliance with the standards and said it was unacceptable that 25 per cent could be attributed to insufficient sampling by local authorities.
“I will be instructing my department to engage with the EPA and with the local authorities in order to identify and agree procedures including training and up-skilling of operators which will assist individual waste-water treatment facilities to comply with the regulatory standards and with discharge licences and sampling requirements,” the Minister said.
Plants that discharge directly into estuaries or coastal waters with just basic treatment or no treatment
Preliminary treatment
To screen out, grind up or separate debris is the first step in waste water treatment. Sticks, rags, large food particles, sand, gravel, toys etc are removed at this stage.
Primary treatment
Second step in treatment which separates suspended solids and greases from waste water
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Clarecastle (no treatment); Corofin (primary treatment); Kilkee (no treatment); Kilrush (no treatment); Scarriff (primary treatment).
CORK (SOUTH) COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballingeary (primary treatment); Ballymakeera (primary treatment); Carrigaline (no treatment); Coachford (primary treatment); Cobh (no treatment); Crosshaven (preliminary treatment); Innishannon (primary treatment); Kinsale (preliminary treatment); Passage/Monkstown (no treatment); Youghal (no treatment).
CORK (WEST) COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballydehob (primary treatment); Baltimore (primary treatment); Bantry (no treatment); Castletownbere (no treatment); Courtmacsherry (no treatment); Glengarriff (primary treatment); Rosscarbery/Owenahincha (primary treatment); Schull (primary treatment); Skibbereen (no treatment).
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Buncrana (primary treatment); Bundoran (preliminary treatment); Carrigart (primary treatment); Castlefinn (primary treatment); Convoy (primary treatment); Downings (primary treatment); Dunfanaghy/Portnablagh (primary treatment); Dungloe (primary treatment); Dunkineeley (primary treatment); Falcarragh (primary treatment); Glenties (primary treatment); Kilcar (preliminary treatment); Killybegs (no treatment); Lifford (primary treatment); Moville (no treatment); Ramelton (primary treatment); Rathmullan (primary treatment); Rathmullan (primary treatment).
DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL
Shanganagh (preliminary treatment).
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Howth/Baldoyle/Portmarnock (no treatment); Loughshinny (primary treatment); Rush (no treatment); Lusk (primary treatment).
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL
Ahascragh (preliminary treatment); Clifden (primary treatment); Clonbur (preliminary treatment); Dunmore (primary treatment); Eyrecourt (primary treatment); Glenamaddy (primary treatment).
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
Ardfert (primary treatment); Ballyduff (primary treatment); Ballyferriter (primary treatment); Ballylongford (primary treatment); Fenit (primary treatment); Glenbeigh (primary treatment); Tarbert (primary treatment); Waterville (primary treatment).
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballymore Eustace (primary treatment).
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
Bennettsbridge (primary treatment); Johnstown (primary treatment).
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL
Foynes (no treatment); Glin (no treatment).
LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Drumlish (primary treatment); Newtownforbes (primary treatment).
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
Collon (no treatment); Knockbridge (no treatment).
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL
Belmullet (no treatment); Killala (no treatment); Kiltimagh (primary treatment); Newport (no treatment).
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL
Mullaghmore (primary treatment); Rosses Point (primary treatment).
TIPPERARY SOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
Cappawhite (primary treatment).
WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Ardmore (preliminary treatment); Cappoquin (primary treatment); Dunmore East (preliminary treatment); Kilmacthomas (primary treatment); Stradbally (primary treatment); Tallow (primary treatment).
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Bunclody (primary treatment); Campile (primary treatment); Duncannon (no treatment) Fethard-on-Sea (primary treatment); Kilmore Quay (no treatment); New Ross (no treatment).
WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL
Arklow (no treatment); Avoca (primary treatment); Bray (preliminary treatment); Wicklow (preliminary treatment).
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sewage plants waste water not reaching EU standards
WASTE WATER from more than half of the country’s sewage treatment plants failed to reach EU quality standards in 2006 and 2007, according to a report released yesterday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
And only one local authority fully complied with the requirements of the EU urban waste water treatment directive.
Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland reviewed the quality of discharges from 370 secondary waste-water treatment plants around the country.
While it found that 90 per cent of waste water in the country received secondary treatment or better, in over half the plants, 192, the discharge did not meet EU standards. These included the Ringsend plant in Dublin and nine plants in Galway.
In a further 112 areas, waste water was discharged directly into estuaries or coastal waters with either basic treatment or no treatment at all in 2007. To date, this has continued in 93 locations.
Among the locations with the largest populations receiving little or no treatment were Killybegs in the Donegal County Council area, Shanganagh in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and Bray, Wicklow town and Arklow in Co Wicklow. These were among 20 areas required by the directive to have secondary treatment plants in place by the end of 2005 and still do not have them.
While many of the 20 are now under construction, it is expected that some will not be built until 2013, eight-years later than required.
The report found only one local authority, Longford County Council, fully complied with the requirements of the directive.
Insufficient or incorrect sampling accounted for a quarter of the non-compliances. Other problems included poor sludge management and inadequate collecting systems for waste water.
The report listed 13 rivers “seriously polluted” by municipal waste water, including three in Donegal.
Gerard O’Leary, programme manager with the EPA, said the compliance levels for waste water quality were very disappointing. The discharge from plants only needed to be analysed 12 times a year at a cost of €50 a month, so it was difficult to understand why this was not being done, he said.
“Continued investment in waste water treatment is required, as well as a dramatic improvement by local authorities in the operation and monitoring of existing water treatment infrastructure,” he said.
Mr O’Leary also said the Ringsend plant was currently operating beyond its design capacity and would struggle to meet discharge standards. While the plant served 2.87 million people, it was designed to serve 1.64 million.
Other plants too small for the population they serve included plants at Kenmare, Co Kerry, Enniscrone, Co Sligo and Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Mr O’Leary said the 18-year-old directive did not include sanctions, but new regulations introduced in late 2007 established a licensing system for sewage treatment plants. The authority will eventually be able to prosecute if plants do not comply with the conditions of these licences.
This could result in fines of between €5,000 and €500,000 imposed on local authorities.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley expressed concern at the levels of non-compliance with the standards and said it was unacceptable that 25 per cent could be attributed to insufficient sampling by local authorities.
“I will be instructing my department to engage with the EPA and with the local authorities in order to identify and agree procedures including training and up-skilling of operators which will assist individual waste-water treatment facilities to comply with the regulatory standards and with discharge licences and sampling requirements,” the Minister said.
Plants that discharge directly into estuaries or coastal waters with just basic treatment or no treatment
Preliminary treatment
To screen out, grind up or separate debris is the first step in waste water treatment. Sticks, rags, large food particles, sand, gravel, toys etc are removed at this stage.
Primary treatment
Second step in treatment which separates suspended solids and greases from waste water
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Clarecastle (no treatment); Corofin (primary treatment); Kilkee (no treatment); Kilrush (no treatment); Scarriff (primary treatment).
CORK (SOUTH) COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballingeary (primary treatment); Ballymakeera (primary treatment); Carrigaline (no treatment); Coachford (primary treatment); Cobh (no treatment); Crosshaven (preliminary treatment); Innishannon (primary treatment); Kinsale (preliminary treatment); Passage/Monkstown (no treatment); Youghal (no treatment).
CORK (WEST) COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballydehob (primary treatment); Baltimore (primary treatment); Bantry (no treatment); Castletownbere (no treatment); Courtmacsherry (no treatment); Glengarriff (primary treatment); Rosscarbery/Owenahincha (primary treatment); Schull (primary treatment); Skibbereen (no treatment).
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Buncrana (primary treatment); Bundoran (preliminary treatment); Carrigart (primary treatment); Castlefinn (primary treatment); Convoy (primary treatment); Downings (primary treatment); Dunfanaghy/Portnablagh (primary treatment); Dungloe (primary treatment); Dunkineeley (primary treatment); Falcarragh (primary treatment); Glenties (primary treatment); Kilcar (preliminary treatment); Killybegs (no treatment); Lifford (primary treatment); Moville (no treatment); Ramelton (primary treatment); Rathmullan (primary treatment); Rathmullan (primary treatment).
DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL
Shanganagh (preliminary treatment).
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Howth/Baldoyle/Portmarnock (no treatment); Loughshinny (primary treatment); Rush (no treatment); Lusk (primary treatment).
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL
Ahascragh (preliminary treatment); Clifden (primary treatment); Clonbur (preliminary treatment); Dunmore (primary treatment); Eyrecourt (primary treatment); Glenamaddy (primary treatment).
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
Ardfert (primary treatment); Ballyduff (primary treatment); Ballyferriter (primary treatment); Ballylongford (primary treatment); Fenit (primary treatment); Glenbeigh (primary treatment); Tarbert (primary treatment); Waterville (primary treatment).
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballymore Eustace (primary treatment).
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
Bennettsbridge (primary treatment); Johnstown (primary treatment).
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL
Foynes (no treatment); Glin (no treatment).
LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Drumlish (primary treatment); Newtownforbes (primary treatment).
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
Collon (no treatment); Knockbridge (no treatment).
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL
Belmullet (no treatment); Killala (no treatment); Kiltimagh (primary treatment); Newport (no treatment).
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL
Mullaghmore (primary treatment); Rosses Point (primary treatment).
TIPPERARY SOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
Cappawhite (primary treatment).
WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Ardmore (preliminary treatment); Cappoquin (primary treatment); Dunmore East (preliminary treatment); Kilmacthomas (primary treatment); Stradbally (primary treatment); Tallow (primary treatment).
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Bunclody (primary treatment); Campile (primary treatment); Duncannon (no treatment) Fethard-on-Sea (primary treatment); Kilmore Quay (no treatment); New Ross (no treatment).
WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL
Arklow (no treatment); Avoca (primary treatment); Bray (preliminary treatment); Wicklow (preliminary treatment).
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
And only one local authority fully complied with the requirements of the EU urban waste water treatment directive.
Urban Waste Water Discharges in Ireland reviewed the quality of discharges from 370 secondary waste-water treatment plants around the country.
While it found that 90 per cent of waste water in the country received secondary treatment or better, in over half the plants, 192, the discharge did not meet EU standards. These included the Ringsend plant in Dublin and nine plants in Galway.
In a further 112 areas, waste water was discharged directly into estuaries or coastal waters with either basic treatment or no treatment at all in 2007. To date, this has continued in 93 locations.
Among the locations with the largest populations receiving little or no treatment were Killybegs in the Donegal County Council area, Shanganagh in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and Bray, Wicklow town and Arklow in Co Wicklow. These were among 20 areas required by the directive to have secondary treatment plants in place by the end of 2005 and still do not have them.
While many of the 20 are now under construction, it is expected that some will not be built until 2013, eight-years later than required.
The report found only one local authority, Longford County Council, fully complied with the requirements of the directive.
Insufficient or incorrect sampling accounted for a quarter of the non-compliances. Other problems included poor sludge management and inadequate collecting systems for waste water.
The report listed 13 rivers “seriously polluted” by municipal waste water, including three in Donegal.
Gerard O’Leary, programme manager with the EPA, said the compliance levels for waste water quality were very disappointing. The discharge from plants only needed to be analysed 12 times a year at a cost of €50 a month, so it was difficult to understand why this was not being done, he said.
“Continued investment in waste water treatment is required, as well as a dramatic improvement by local authorities in the operation and monitoring of existing water treatment infrastructure,” he said.
Mr O’Leary also said the Ringsend plant was currently operating beyond its design capacity and would struggle to meet discharge standards. While the plant served 2.87 million people, it was designed to serve 1.64 million.
Other plants too small for the population they serve included plants at Kenmare, Co Kerry, Enniscrone, Co Sligo and Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Mr O’Leary said the 18-year-old directive did not include sanctions, but new regulations introduced in late 2007 established a licensing system for sewage treatment plants. The authority will eventually be able to prosecute if plants do not comply with the conditions of these licences.
This could result in fines of between €5,000 and €500,000 imposed on local authorities.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley expressed concern at the levels of non-compliance with the standards and said it was unacceptable that 25 per cent could be attributed to insufficient sampling by local authorities.
“I will be instructing my department to engage with the EPA and with the local authorities in order to identify and agree procedures including training and up-skilling of operators which will assist individual waste-water treatment facilities to comply with the regulatory standards and with discharge licences and sampling requirements,” the Minister said.
Plants that discharge directly into estuaries or coastal waters with just basic treatment or no treatment
Preliminary treatment
To screen out, grind up or separate debris is the first step in waste water treatment. Sticks, rags, large food particles, sand, gravel, toys etc are removed at this stage.
Primary treatment
Second step in treatment which separates suspended solids and greases from waste water
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Clarecastle (no treatment); Corofin (primary treatment); Kilkee (no treatment); Kilrush (no treatment); Scarriff (primary treatment).
CORK (SOUTH) COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballingeary (primary treatment); Ballymakeera (primary treatment); Carrigaline (no treatment); Coachford (primary treatment); Cobh (no treatment); Crosshaven (preliminary treatment); Innishannon (primary treatment); Kinsale (preliminary treatment); Passage/Monkstown (no treatment); Youghal (no treatment).
CORK (WEST) COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballydehob (primary treatment); Baltimore (primary treatment); Bantry (no treatment); Castletownbere (no treatment); Courtmacsherry (no treatment); Glengarriff (primary treatment); Rosscarbery/Owenahincha (primary treatment); Schull (primary treatment); Skibbereen (no treatment).
DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Buncrana (primary treatment); Bundoran (preliminary treatment); Carrigart (primary treatment); Castlefinn (primary treatment); Convoy (primary treatment); Downings (primary treatment); Dunfanaghy/Portnablagh (primary treatment); Dungloe (primary treatment); Dunkineeley (primary treatment); Falcarragh (primary treatment); Glenties (primary treatment); Kilcar (preliminary treatment); Killybegs (no treatment); Lifford (primary treatment); Moville (no treatment); Ramelton (primary treatment); Rathmullan (primary treatment); Rathmullan (primary treatment).
DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL
Shanganagh (preliminary treatment).
FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL
Howth/Baldoyle/Portmarnock (no treatment); Loughshinny (primary treatment); Rush (no treatment); Lusk (primary treatment).
GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL
Ahascragh (preliminary treatment); Clifden (primary treatment); Clonbur (preliminary treatment); Dunmore (primary treatment); Eyrecourt (primary treatment); Glenamaddy (primary treatment).
KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL
Ardfert (primary treatment); Ballyduff (primary treatment); Ballyferriter (primary treatment); Ballylongford (primary treatment); Fenit (primary treatment); Glenbeigh (primary treatment); Tarbert (primary treatment); Waterville (primary treatment).
KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
Ballymore Eustace (primary treatment).
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
Bennettsbridge (primary treatment); Johnstown (primary treatment).
LIMERICK COUNTY COUNCIL
Foynes (no treatment); Glin (no treatment).
LONGFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Drumlish (primary treatment); Newtownforbes (primary treatment).
LOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
Collon (no treatment); Knockbridge (no treatment).
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL
Belmullet (no treatment); Killala (no treatment); Kiltimagh (primary treatment); Newport (no treatment).
SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL
Mullaghmore (primary treatment); Rosses Point (primary treatment).
TIPPERARY SOUTH COUNTY COUNCIL
Cappawhite (primary treatment).
WATERFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Ardmore (preliminary treatment); Cappoquin (primary treatment); Dunmore East (preliminary treatment); Kilmacthomas (primary treatment); Stradbally (primary treatment); Tallow (primary treatment).
WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL
Bunclody (primary treatment); Campile (primary treatment); Duncannon (no treatment) Fethard-on-Sea (primary treatment); Kilmore Quay (no treatment); New Ross (no treatment).
WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL
Arklow (no treatment); Avoca (primary treatment); Bray (preliminary treatment); Wicklow (preliminary treatment).
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Study on odour from waste plant finds serious errors
SERIOUS errors in the estimated level of waste from commercial premises by Dublin City Council have been highlighted in a report on the operation of a sewage treatment plant in Dublin.
The report also found that odour levels allowed under the contract to operate the Ringsend plant were more than 20 times the standard specified in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted during the planning process.
Environment Minister John Gormley, who commissioned the report by independent consultant Brendan Fehily, said yesterday the failure to adhere to the EIA recommendations was a key element in the plant’s subsequent problems.
Mr Gormley estimated that it had cost Dublin City Council an extra €10 million to remedy such errors.
The facility, which has been in operation since 2003, has been blamed by residents in Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount, for regularly causing foul odours in the area, although it has been credited with a dramatic improvement in water quality in Dublin Bay.
Mr Gormley, a local TD, commissioned the report last June in order to establish the background to the odour problem and why the plant was frequently operating above its design capacity.
It concluded that the flow of sewage into the plant was underestimated by almost 190,000 people due to poor calculations about the amount of waste contributed by commercial premises such as shops, offices, pubs and restaurants.
The number of daily commuters to Dublin, as well as tourist numbers, were also underestimated.
The report established that the standard of permissible odour based on measurements of hydrogen sulphide (the smell of rotten eggs) in the contract documents was 20 times higher than the figure in its Environment Impact Statement.
“This was either a serious error of judgment or a mistake,” concluded Mr Fehily.
He noted that previous attempts to address the problems of odour since 2003 were inadequate and of a “fire brigade” nature.
“A significant number of odour problems were created by inadequate design and equipment failure,” he said.
However, the report also pointed out that the recommendations of a study commissioned by the council on the odour problems should be fully implemented by the end of this month.
Mr Fehily claimed such remedial work should ensure that future problems with odours will be “minor and few and far between”.
He also recommends significant improvements in the monitoring and licensing of discharges from businesses.
The report claims there is still work to be done to make the Ringsend plant compliant with an EU Urban Wastewater Directive as it is still discharging effluent with excessive level of nutrients into Dublin Bay.
Welcoming the report, Mr Gormley said its recommendations, if followed, “should ensure a high-quality and well-run wastewater system for the Dublin region”.
He has asked the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment to examine the background of the case.
Dublin City Council yesterday refused to comment on the report’s findings.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The report also found that odour levels allowed under the contract to operate the Ringsend plant were more than 20 times the standard specified in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted during the planning process.
Environment Minister John Gormley, who commissioned the report by independent consultant Brendan Fehily, said yesterday the failure to adhere to the EIA recommendations was a key element in the plant’s subsequent problems.
Mr Gormley estimated that it had cost Dublin City Council an extra €10 million to remedy such errors.
The facility, which has been in operation since 2003, has been blamed by residents in Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount, for regularly causing foul odours in the area, although it has been credited with a dramatic improvement in water quality in Dublin Bay.
Mr Gormley, a local TD, commissioned the report last June in order to establish the background to the odour problem and why the plant was frequently operating above its design capacity.
It concluded that the flow of sewage into the plant was underestimated by almost 190,000 people due to poor calculations about the amount of waste contributed by commercial premises such as shops, offices, pubs and restaurants.
The number of daily commuters to Dublin, as well as tourist numbers, were also underestimated.
The report established that the standard of permissible odour based on measurements of hydrogen sulphide (the smell of rotten eggs) in the contract documents was 20 times higher than the figure in its Environment Impact Statement.
“This was either a serious error of judgment or a mistake,” concluded Mr Fehily.
He noted that previous attempts to address the problems of odour since 2003 were inadequate and of a “fire brigade” nature.
“A significant number of odour problems were created by inadequate design and equipment failure,” he said.
However, the report also pointed out that the recommendations of a study commissioned by the council on the odour problems should be fully implemented by the end of this month.
Mr Fehily claimed such remedial work should ensure that future problems with odours will be “minor and few and far between”.
He also recommends significant improvements in the monitoring and licensing of discharges from businesses.
The report claims there is still work to be done to make the Ringsend plant compliant with an EU Urban Wastewater Directive as it is still discharging effluent with excessive level of nutrients into Dublin Bay.
Welcoming the report, Mr Gormley said its recommendations, if followed, “should ensure a high-quality and well-run wastewater system for the Dublin region”.
He has asked the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment to examine the background of the case.
Dublin City Council yesterday refused to comment on the report’s findings.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Residents kick up stink over waste plant
Locals in Ringsend are resisting proposals to significantly increase the size of the controversial waste sewage treatment plant in the area.
They sent a strongly worded submission outlining their objections to a strategic environment assessment of drainage in Dublin.
The e300 million plant, which opened in June 2003, brought to an end the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay each day.
However, while the plant substantially improved water quality, a putrid smell has regularly affected the surrounding communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount.
A draft environmental report prepared by consultants on the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study Strategy (GDSDS) recommends that the capacity of the waste water treatment plant – which currently treats the waste of about 1.6 million people – should be extended to cater for the needs of over two million people.
However, the report prepared on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Dublin region also contains a “strategy approach” proposal that the Ringsend plant treat the waste of up to 2.4 million people by 2011 and 2.8 million people by 2031.
“This strategy approach is based on retaining Ringsend as the terminus for all flows from an extended Ringsend catchment including all future development in South Dublin, West Fingal, East Meath and ultimately even embracing North Kildare,” the report states.
Mott McDonald Petit Ltd and Environmental Resources Management Ireland Ltd prepared the Draft Environmental Report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the GDSDS strategy on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Region.
In its submission on the report the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group claimed that an attempt was being made to compound past mistakes by proposing to increase the capacity of the treatment plant. They warned that they would resist the potential move “by any means possible”.
The submission notes that the smell still persists in the vicinity of the plant despite the requirements of the original Environmental Impact Statement, stipulating that foul odours should be confined to the plant itself.
“This group, far from wishing to see the plant extended, would suggest that the plant be decommissioned until such time as it has been properly assessed by the European authorities to comply with EU directives on the treatment of waste,” the submission says.
“It is totally unjust, undemocratic and out of order that any one area should be expected to tolerate the serious pollution caused by the existing plant…if the plant were allowed to be extended in any way, obviously the pollution would be extended given that the plant does not operate properly.”
In response to the submission by the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group a spokesman for Dublin City Council – which is behind the planning to extend the plant - said it was “untrue” to say that the existing Ringsend plant causes serious pollution.
“On the contrary it is acknowledged by bona fide environmental organisations, such as the EPA and An Taisce that the water in Dublin Bay has significantly improved since the Ringsend Treatment Works commenced operations in 2003,” he said.
“Dollymount, Seapoint, Sandymount and Shellybanks beaches have all been awarded Blue Flag or Green Coast awards in recent years, based on excellent water quality, which makes Dublin unique among capital cities.
“The remaining odour issues at Ringsend are currently being addressed and will be resolved on a phased basis for completion during 2008. Detailed planning of the extension of the Ringsend Treatment Works has not yet commenced but when it does the proposal will be subject to the usual statutory procedures.”
Northside People
www.buckplanning.ie
They sent a strongly worded submission outlining their objections to a strategic environment assessment of drainage in Dublin.
The e300 million plant, which opened in June 2003, brought to an end the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay each day.
However, while the plant substantially improved water quality, a putrid smell has regularly affected the surrounding communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount.
A draft environmental report prepared by consultants on the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study Strategy (GDSDS) recommends that the capacity of the waste water treatment plant – which currently treats the waste of about 1.6 million people – should be extended to cater for the needs of over two million people.
However, the report prepared on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Dublin region also contains a “strategy approach” proposal that the Ringsend plant treat the waste of up to 2.4 million people by 2011 and 2.8 million people by 2031.
“This strategy approach is based on retaining Ringsend as the terminus for all flows from an extended Ringsend catchment including all future development in South Dublin, West Fingal, East Meath and ultimately even embracing North Kildare,” the report states.
Mott McDonald Petit Ltd and Environmental Resources Management Ireland Ltd prepared the Draft Environmental Report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the GDSDS strategy on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Region.
In its submission on the report the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group claimed that an attempt was being made to compound past mistakes by proposing to increase the capacity of the treatment plant. They warned that they would resist the potential move “by any means possible”.
The submission notes that the smell still persists in the vicinity of the plant despite the requirements of the original Environmental Impact Statement, stipulating that foul odours should be confined to the plant itself.
“This group, far from wishing to see the plant extended, would suggest that the plant be decommissioned until such time as it has been properly assessed by the European authorities to comply with EU directives on the treatment of waste,” the submission says.
“It is totally unjust, undemocratic and out of order that any one area should be expected to tolerate the serious pollution caused by the existing plant…if the plant were allowed to be extended in any way, obviously the pollution would be extended given that the plant does not operate properly.”
In response to the submission by the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group a spokesman for Dublin City Council – which is behind the planning to extend the plant - said it was “untrue” to say that the existing Ringsend plant causes serious pollution.
“On the contrary it is acknowledged by bona fide environmental organisations, such as the EPA and An Taisce that the water in Dublin Bay has significantly improved since the Ringsend Treatment Works commenced operations in 2003,” he said.
“Dollymount, Seapoint, Sandymount and Shellybanks beaches have all been awarded Blue Flag or Green Coast awards in recent years, based on excellent water quality, which makes Dublin unique among capital cities.
“The remaining odour issues at Ringsend are currently being addressed and will be resolved on a phased basis for completion during 2008. Detailed planning of the extension of the Ringsend Treatment Works has not yet commenced but when it does the proposal will be subject to the usual statutory procedures.”
Northside People
www.buckplanning.ie
Residents kick up stink over waste plant
Locals in Ringsend are resisting proposals to significantly increase the size of the controversial waste sewage treatment plant in the area.
They sent a strongly worded submission outlining their objections to a strategic environment assessment of drainage in Dublin.
The e300 million plant, which opened in June 2003, brought to an end the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay each day.
However, while the plant substantially improved water quality, a putrid smell has regularly affected the surrounding communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount.
A draft environmental report prepared by consultants on the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study Strategy (GDSDS) recommends that the capacity of the waste water treatment plant – which currently treats the waste of about 1.6 million people – should be extended to cater for the needs of over two million people.
However, the report prepared on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Dublin region also contains a “strategy approach” proposal that the Ringsend plant treat the waste of up to 2.4 million people by 2011 and 2.8 million people by 2031.
“This strategy approach is based on retaining Ringsend as the terminus for all flows from an extended Ringsend catchment including all future development in South Dublin, West Fingal, East Meath and ultimately even embracing North Kildare,” the report states.
Mott McDonald Petit Ltd and Environmental Resources Management Ireland Ltd prepared the Draft Environmental Report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the GDSDS strategy on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Region.
In its submission on the report the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group claimed that an attempt was being made to compound past mistakes by proposing to increase the capacity of the treatment plant. They warned that they would resist the potential move “by any means possible”.
The submission notes that the smell still persists in the vicinity of the plant despite the requirements of the original Environmental Impact Statement, stipulating that foul odours should be confined to the plant itself.
“This group, far from wishing to see the plant extended, would suggest that the plant be decommissioned until such time as it has been properly assessed by the European authorities to comply with EU directives on the treatment of waste,” the submission says.
“It is totally unjust, undemocratic and out of order that any one area should be expected to tolerate the serious pollution caused by the existing plant…if the plant were allowed to be extended in any way, obviously the pollution would be extended given that the plant does not operate properly.”
In response to the submission by the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group a spokesman for Dublin City Council – which is behind the planning to extend the plant - said it was “untrue” to say that the existing Ringsend plant causes serious pollution.
“On the contrary it is acknowledged by bona fide environmental organisations, such as the EPA and An Taisce that the water in Dublin Bay has significantly improved since the Ringsend Treatment Works commenced operations in 2003,” he said.
“Dollymount, Seapoint, Sandymount and Shellybanks beaches have all been awarded Blue Flag or Green Coast awards in recent years, based on excellent water quality, which makes Dublin unique among capital cities.
“The remaining odour issues at Ringsend are currently being addressed and will be resolved on a phased basis for completion during 2008. Detailed planning of the extension of the Ringsend Treatment Works has not yet commenced but when it does the proposal will be subject to the usual statutory procedures.”
Northside People
www.buckplanning.ie
They sent a strongly worded submission outlining their objections to a strategic environment assessment of drainage in Dublin.
The e300 million plant, which opened in June 2003, brought to an end the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay each day.
However, while the plant substantially improved water quality, a putrid smell has regularly affected the surrounding communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount.
A draft environmental report prepared by consultants on the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study Strategy (GDSDS) recommends that the capacity of the waste water treatment plant – which currently treats the waste of about 1.6 million people – should be extended to cater for the needs of over two million people.
However, the report prepared on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Dublin region also contains a “strategy approach” proposal that the Ringsend plant treat the waste of up to 2.4 million people by 2011 and 2.8 million people by 2031.
“This strategy approach is based on retaining Ringsend as the terminus for all flows from an extended Ringsend catchment including all future development in South Dublin, West Fingal, East Meath and ultimately even embracing North Kildare,” the report states.
Mott McDonald Petit Ltd and Environmental Resources Management Ireland Ltd prepared the Draft Environmental Report on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the GDSDS strategy on behalf of the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Region.
In its submission on the report the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group claimed that an attempt was being made to compound past mistakes by proposing to increase the capacity of the treatment plant. They warned that they would resist the potential move “by any means possible”.
The submission notes that the smell still persists in the vicinity of the plant despite the requirements of the original Environmental Impact Statement, stipulating that foul odours should be confined to the plant itself.
“This group, far from wishing to see the plant extended, would suggest that the plant be decommissioned until such time as it has been properly assessed by the European authorities to comply with EU directives on the treatment of waste,” the submission says.
“It is totally unjust, undemocratic and out of order that any one area should be expected to tolerate the serious pollution caused by the existing plant…if the plant were allowed to be extended in any way, obviously the pollution would be extended given that the plant does not operate properly.”
In response to the submission by the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environmental Group a spokesman for Dublin City Council – which is behind the planning to extend the plant - said it was “untrue” to say that the existing Ringsend plant causes serious pollution.
“On the contrary it is acknowledged by bona fide environmental organisations, such as the EPA and An Taisce that the water in Dublin Bay has significantly improved since the Ringsend Treatment Works commenced operations in 2003,” he said.
“Dollymount, Seapoint, Sandymount and Shellybanks beaches have all been awarded Blue Flag or Green Coast awards in recent years, based on excellent water quality, which makes Dublin unique among capital cities.
“The remaining odour issues at Ringsend are currently being addressed and will be resolved on a phased basis for completion during 2008. Detailed planning of the extension of the Ringsend Treatment Works has not yet commenced but when it does the proposal will be subject to the usual statutory procedures.”
Northside People
www.buckplanning.ie
Ringsend residents must keep holding noses
Residents will have to endure foul smells from a sewage treatment plant for an extra four months because odour alleviation measures at the facility will not be completed on time.
Dublin City Council has admitted that even though it is currently spending €28.3m annually on the Ringsend sewage treatment plant, it will take until November to fully rectify the problem of the facility's unsavoury odours.
This is despite assurances from the city manager at the start of the year that odour problems at the plant would be fully alleviated by July.
This will bring to four years the time it has taken the council to eliminate odour problems associated with the waste water treatment facility.
Sewage
The €300m plant opened in July 2003 to process sewage from 1.7 million homes around ublin, bringing an end to the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay.
It was developed under a public-private partnership with the ABA consortium, involving Ascon, sewerage specialists Black & Veatch and Anglia Water.
Since it opened residents living in the Ringsend, Sandymount and Irishtown have experienced foul odours emanating from the plant.
The smell is particularly bad in summer and for the last three years residents have been forced to keep their doors and windows shut due to the stench.
Following an independent review of the operation of the plant by a US engineering firm in 2004, the consortium decided on a series of engineering works to eradicate the smell. In 2006 short-term works began with the installation of 'odour friendly' sludge processing equipment, and last year a more extensive programme of engineering works was introduced with the aim of permanently eliminating the smell.
Last January, the city manager John Tierney said the problem would be eradicated by July, but the council now says that while short-term measures are in place and that the problem will be partly rectified by July, the odour problem will not be completely sorted out until November.
Louise Healy
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Dublin City Council has admitted that even though it is currently spending €28.3m annually on the Ringsend sewage treatment plant, it will take until November to fully rectify the problem of the facility's unsavoury odours.
This is despite assurances from the city manager at the start of the year that odour problems at the plant would be fully alleviated by July.
This will bring to four years the time it has taken the council to eliminate odour problems associated with the waste water treatment facility.
Sewage
The €300m plant opened in July 2003 to process sewage from 1.7 million homes around ublin, bringing an end to the dumping of more than 40 million gallons of raw sewage into Dublin Bay.
It was developed under a public-private partnership with the ABA consortium, involving Ascon, sewerage specialists Black & Veatch and Anglia Water.
Since it opened residents living in the Ringsend, Sandymount and Irishtown have experienced foul odours emanating from the plant.
The smell is particularly bad in summer and for the last three years residents have been forced to keep their doors and windows shut due to the stench.
Following an independent review of the operation of the plant by a US engineering firm in 2004, the consortium decided on a series of engineering works to eradicate the smell. In 2006 short-term works began with the installation of 'odour friendly' sludge processing equipment, and last year a more extensive programme of engineering works was introduced with the aim of permanently eliminating the smell.
Last January, the city manager John Tierney said the problem would be eradicated by July, but the council now says that while short-term measures are in place and that the problem will be partly rectified by July, the odour problem will not be completely sorted out until November.
Louise Healy
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Raw sewage pumped into river
RAW sewage is being pumped daily into a scenic river which has been designated a 'special area of conservation'.
Independent tests show that the River Barrow contains a very high count of cryptosporidium - the same bug that has contaminated Galway's drinking water supply and left hundreds of people sick.
The untreated sewage, which contains used condoms, tampons, lumps of human excrement and shredded toilet paper, is being pumped into the river through two pipes in the heart of Portarlington, beside a park where children play.
The source of the sewage has been identified as a block of apartments and a number of houses and businesses in the town. These premises were incorrectly connected to the water surface system meaning untreated sewage was being channeled directly into the river.
Local anglers, angered at the number of fish kills along the river, began independent tests of the water three years ago. The tests, which are carried out fortnightly, show that the Barrow is a 'moderately polluted river' with a high level of cryptosporidium. Laois County Council has consistently rejected claims that it is behind the pollution but was forced yesterday to admit that untreated effluent is regularly pumped into the river because of "misconnections" in the sewage system.
Last night Kildare County Council stressed the town's drinking water is safe. It does not come from the Barrow but from the Poulaphoca Reservoir and wells at Hybla and Rathangan.
Breda Heffernan
Irish Independent
Independent tests show that the River Barrow contains a very high count of cryptosporidium - the same bug that has contaminated Galway's drinking water supply and left hundreds of people sick.
The untreated sewage, which contains used condoms, tampons, lumps of human excrement and shredded toilet paper, is being pumped into the river through two pipes in the heart of Portarlington, beside a park where children play.
The source of the sewage has been identified as a block of apartments and a number of houses and businesses in the town. These premises were incorrectly connected to the water surface system meaning untreated sewage was being channeled directly into the river.
Local anglers, angered at the number of fish kills along the river, began independent tests of the water three years ago. The tests, which are carried out fortnightly, show that the Barrow is a 'moderately polluted river' with a high level of cryptosporidium. Laois County Council has consistently rejected claims that it is behind the pollution but was forced yesterday to admit that untreated effluent is regularly pumped into the river because of "misconnections" in the sewage system.
Last night Kildare County Council stressed the town's drinking water is safe. It does not come from the Barrow but from the Poulaphoca Reservoir and wells at Hybla and Rathangan.
Breda Heffernan
Irish Independent
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