Arklow Harbour pollution triggers survey review after new €139m plant not fully connected
The Wicklow PeopleUisce Éireann is currently processing data collated from surveys of the drainage around South Quay harbour in Arklow.
The move comes after it emerged over the summer the area was not connected to the new wastewater treatment plant in the town, causing high amounts of e-coli to be found in the river.
Following a query from Independent councillor Peir Leonard, officials indicated that a contractor has since undertaken site surveys and is currently processing the data in-house before submitting completed survey findings package to Uisce Éireann.
Commercial properties that were discharging to the sewer are derelict so contribute no foul discharge. The properties also appear to have private misconnections into the surface water sewer.
Water tests from the Arklow Sea Scouts had been showing significant pollution in the harbour in the weeks since the facility was formally launched in May of this year.
It meant that raw sewage had been flowing freely into the harbour and the Avoca River, despite the recently completed €139 million treatment plant.
Construction of the Arklow plant began in 2021 after decades of delays due to planning and legal hurdles and disputes.
Despite the long wait, the project was delivered on budget six months ahead of schedule.
Uisce Éireann is now undertaking a study into the infrastructure required to serve regeneration of the Arklow South Quay harbour area as identified in the draft Arklow Local Planning Framework 2025-2031, subject to the publication of the final document.
Following concept design of the wastewater infrastructure, timelines for the delivery of the necessary network extension will be subject to developer demand and budget availability.
When new wastewater infrastructure is in place, applications can be made through Uisce Eireann's new connections process for the existing treatment systems in the harbour to discharge to the public sewer network.
If there are concerns around the environmental impact of the existing domestic wastewater treatment systems, members of the public are asked to voice their queries to the responsible bodies to inspect or enforce as appropriate.
Cllr Leonard says there will be keen interest amongst residents on what the survey results will show.
“The current works on South Quay are a variation of the main wastewater treatment plant contract and this is important as local nearby residents will be covered by the conditions which were attached to the original planning.”
“This essentially means that any damage done to nearby properties because of the works will mean that Uisce Éireann will be held ultimately responsible.”