Raw sewage leak in Ardnacrusha estate

RESIDENTS in a local-authority housing estate in Ardnacrusha should not be expected to clean up raw sewage, according to a local county councillor.

At a Killaloe electoral area meeting last week, Councillor Cathal Crowe claimed sewerage blockages in Ardnacrusha are affecting residents in Lackyle Heights.
There are three housing estates side by side in the South-East Clare village – Lackyle Heights, Keelgrove and Ballyglass and Clare County Council has taken over the running of Lackyle Heights.
However, the sewer line is serviced by a private wastewater treatment plant, which originates in one of the estates that has not been taken over by the council.
Councillor Crowe claimed raw sewage was left on the road surface of Lackyle Heights two or three times since Christmas.
Having spoken to members of the residents’ association, Councillor Crowe said he didn’t think the onus is on residents to clean it up, which presents a health hazard.
He acknowledged that items such as nappies and chip pan oil is inappropriately being flushed down toilets, which is responsible for some but not all of the problems with the treatment plant.
“The raw sewage has flowed out on to a public road and on public footpaths in a county council estate. Regardless of where the problem has originated from, I think it is unfair to expect residents to get their sweeping brushes and sweep this septic material in under a bush.
“Children are regularly out playing in this road. This is an issue that needs to be resolved as it is a health and safety matter for residents,” he said.
Senior executive engineer, Seán Lenihan explained the problem originated with the sewage treatment plant and suggested if the residents experienced problems, they should contact the developer.