The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
RECENT foul discharge from the Doolough Treatment Plant was raised at this week’s West Clare Municipal District meeting, with Fianna Fáil’s PJ Kelly putting forward a number of questions.
He sought information on the cause of the discharge, the number of times it happened in the last two years, the impact on river water and the fish population, the impact on animals using the water.
He also asked that Irish Water accept responsiblity for damage to humans, animals and fish, what steps they will take to ensure there is no repeat, and information on how they will address the damages.
The Lissycasey man said that he believes there has been several instances.
“Locals tell me it has happened very frequently. It has severe implications for animals, fish and humans. It’s unbelievable that the colour from it came as far south as the bridge at Cree. It’s not acceptable in this day and age, if it happened a private individual they would be in court.”
He queried, “If people lose animals because of it does Irish Water have insurance cover? The fish in the river it appears are non existent anymore, I’m told.”
A reply from Irish Water was presented to the meeting, but didn’t answer all the questions put forward.
“Irish Water and Clare County Council have investigated reports of a discharge to the Annageeragh river and can confirm that a discharge occurred on April 13 of materials produced as a by-product of the water treatment process.
“The discharge occurred at the New Doolough Water Treatment Plant (WTP) where processes are in place to treat this material, known as sludge.
“This incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, April 13 as a result of issues encountered with the onsite sludge treatment process, which have now been resolved. “Due to the low flow in the river at the time, it may have taken a number of days for the material to make its way downriver to Annageeragh Bridge where the incident was reported.
“On receipt of this report, Irish Water and Clare County Council undertook immediate action to identify the cause of the discharge and prevent a similar discharge in the future. We are continuing to examine further remedial actions that may be undertaken. “The New Doolough Water Treatment Plant also accepts sludge material from the Old Doolough Water Treatment plant. The importation of sludge from Old Doolough has now been suspended pending further remedial works at the plant and the material is currently being taken offsite to another facility for treatment. “Irish Water reported this incident to the EPA and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) once it was notified. We continue to liaise with these agencies, and with Clare County Council’s Environment Section as the agencies with responsibility for river water quality.
“As part of daily plant operations, water from the sludge treatment process and from the backwash water tank are discharged daily from the plant. This has been ongoing normal operating practice at both of the Doolough plants. There have been no notifiable discharge incidents in the past two years.
“New Doolough WTP was commissioned in 1984 and is in need of upgrade. Irish Water is currently progressing an upgrade of this plant, which include upgrades to the sludge treatment process. The estimated completion date for these works is June 2022.”
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
