Upgrade aims to end ‘foul smells’ in Quin

A planned €500,000 upgrading of the wastewater treatment plant in Quin is expected to result in the end of  “foul smells” emanating from the existing plant after heavy rain. 
Details of the proposed development were outlined at Monday’s meeting of Ennis East Electoral Area councillors, with councillors welcoming the proposals.
The proposed development comprises the upgrade of the existing municipal wastewater treatment plant at Quin Gardens and will double the existing plant’s capacity. 
The works will increase the capacity of the treatment plant to a population equivalent of 1,400 to serve the needs of Quin village and its environs in the future.
Quin village has a projected population target of 789 persons by 2017.
The proposal includes a splitter chamber; a storm overflow tank; an aeration tank; a settlement tank and for the removal of existing sludge beds and their replacement with a new sludge tank.
A public notice was published in August and a site notice placed on the site. The public had until October 14 to make a submission on the proposed works and no submissions were received by Clare County Council.
The site is located within an area zoned as ‘U1’ in the draft South Clare Area Plan 2012 – 2018 where it is the objective of the council to endeavour to secure the upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant so as to facilitate future development over the lifetime of the plan.
A report by Gordon Daly, senior planner, presented to the Ennis East Electoral Area councillors this week, outlined that the proposed development complies with this objective.
The proposed development site is located within an area designated as Flood Zone A and B in the Clare County Development Plan 2011 – 2017, hence the site has been identified as being at a risk of flooding.
An Taisce raised concerns with regard to the floodplain and submitted a geological report. However, according to Mr Daly’s report, “The geology report submitted states that it is unlikely that the site where the waste water treatment plant is located is subject to flooding”.
An initial flood-risk assessment also found that having regard to the established use of the site as a waste-water treatment plant and having regards to the works proposed, it is considered the works will not give rise to an increased chance of flooding of the site.
The planning report also concluded that the proposed works will not impact to any significant degree on the visual amenities of the area.
The proposed development
site is 20m from the nearest dwelling in Quin Gardens. The wastewater treatment plant has been present at this location since at least 1981 and the nearest houses then were 100m to the north. These houses were built and occupied by persons in the knowledge that there was a treatment plant in the vicinity.
In his report, Mr Daly outlined, “From local knowledge, it would appear that there are smells from the plant after periods of heavy rain as both foul and storm water enter the plant, which cannot cope with the increased loading. However, the increased PE proposed in conjunction with a storm water tank proposed will be able to deal with same.
“In addition, the existing sludge drying beds which were the source of odour are to be removed as part of the proposed works. The proposal includes for odour filters that will reduce future odours from the plant. In this respect, there should be no adverse impact to residential amenity as a consequence of odours.”
A report from the environmental section of the county council has stated the upgrading should provide a better effluent quality to receiving waters, will comply with surface water regulations 2009 and will not result in any change in the water quality status which is designated ‘good’ at present.
The discharge to the river will be subject to a licence from the EPA, which has not yet been obtained though an application has been lodged.
Councillor Johnny Flynn described the proposal as a “welcome development” for the village. Councillor Sonny Scanlan outlined that Quin is a growing area and that this proposed upgrade is needed. Councillor Tommy Brennan commented, “All of us welcome this development.” Councillor Pat Daly stated, “There was a foul smell in that area for years and hopefully, this will alleviate it”.