Uisce Éireann blames illegal ‘load of fats, oils and grease’ for harbour pollution spill in Wicklow

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that the recent pollution incident in Arklow Harbour was caused by an illegal discharge of fats, oils and grease into an unmapped surface water sewer, prompting renewed calls from Wicklow Wexford TD Brian Brennan for urgent remedial work and stronger enforcement to prevent a repeat.

In a response issued through junior minister John Cummins, the utility said its frontline operations team investigated the incident alongside its asset operations network staff and concluded that a “load of fats, oils and grease” had been dumped illegally into an upstream surface water line.

As the sewer run was unmapped, the material overflowed directly into the harbour, creating the thick, greasy pollution that caused widespread concern locally.

Uisce Éireann said surface water sewers remain the responsibility of local authorities, but noted that several former Wicklow County Council staff now working within the utility had been unaware of the particular line involved.

The organisation will now map the sewer and add it to its geographic information system to ensure it is properly monitored. A boom was deployed in the harbour to contain the pollution, and a vactor truck was used on the pier to remove as much of the material as possible.

The utility also confirmed it is working with Wicklow County Council to establish the extent of historic foul to surface water misconnections in Arklow, a long‑standing issue that has complicated efforts to improve water quality in the town. The uitility says the new wastewater treatment plant has delivered significant improvements, but legacy infrastructure problems continue to pose risks.

Deputy Brennan said he was “horrified” by the pollution, describing it as “disgusting” and deeply frustrating for residents who had welcomed the cleaner harbour conditions since the treatment plant opened.

He said the incident highlighted the need for rapid mapping and remediation of older parts of Arklow’s underground network, noting that the town’s 1,100‑year history means “the underground systems may contain a few unknowns”.

The TD condemned the illegal dumping that caused the pollution and said those responsible should face prosecution.

“Whoever was responsible for this should be ashamed of themselves,” he said. “All efforts should be taken to identify and prosecute those responsible.”

Deputy Brennan added that the incident should not overshadow the progress made in improving Arklow’s water quality but warned that gaps in the system must be addressed urgently to protect the harbour and maintain public confidence.