Uisce Éireann conduct testing after raw sewage discharged into Arklow harbour
The Wicklow PeopleUisce Éireann have undertaken surveys of the drainage around South Quay harbour in Arklow.
The move comes after it emerged 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 Cllr Peir Leonard, officials from the state utility confirmed they are now reviewing the situation.
A pipeline on the west side of the harbour serves two commercial properties and discharges directly to the Avoca River. A separate pipeline on the east of the harbour discharges directly north to the Avoca River.
It has been confirmed that commercial properties discharging to this sewer are derelict so contribute no foul discharge. The properties also appear to have private misconnections into the surface water sewer.
Further surveys have been issued to investigate if there are any further misconnections. The pipeline discharging to the harbour was not connected into the new sewer constructed as part of the wastewater treatment plant, as it was not considered to be part of the public sewer system.
The surveys undertaken were only local to the harbour area.
Uisce Éireann has also confirmed they are carrying out further investigations within the area to see if any other misconnections are causing contamination.
Should these findings show that the public wastewater network is the source of contamination, Uisce Éireann will work to rectify the issue.
Reacting to the news during the September meeting of Arklow Municipal District, Cllr Leonard expressed the importance of the issue being addressed properly.
“If these issues are not addressed swiftly there could be threats to economic development in the town, the infrastructure is not here. I do have concerns about the future of the flood relief scheme if there is a constant need to repair the sewage infrastructure.”
Wicklow County Council is no longer responsible for the wastewater treatment plant. Elected members agreed to pass on the information about testing from Uisce Éireann to members of the flood relief scheme team.
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 raw sewage had been flowing freely into the harbour and the Avoca River, despite the recently completed €139 million euro 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.