Village sewerage plants delayed
NEW waste water sewerage plants for Camolin and Ferns will not be built for at least four years.
Director of Services for Water Eamonn Hore said several other schemes in the south of the county have been prioritised by Irish Water.
Cllr Robbie Ireton raised the issue, saying the village bundle scheme has been ongoing for a decade and nothing has been done, while several councillors complained about the lack of funding for residents with septic tank issues.
‘ They are inspecting septic tanks in their thousands and yet we have raw sewage going into our rivers, in this day and age. When will Irish Water bring to a conclusion works in Clonroche, Duncannon, Wellingtonbridge and other villages?’ Cllr Ireton said.
Director of Services for Housing, Environment and Emergency Services John Carley said: ‘ The septic tank process is complicated. The rules are made by an organisation outside of Wexford County Council. Grants are available but they are very limited.’
Cllr Mick Roche said it is disgraceful that pensioners are ending up in court and named in local newspapers because they are having trouble with their septic tanks.
Mr Carley said: ‘If we have to take someone to court it is because their septic tank is not working and there is a fault with the septic tank.’
Mr Hore said Irish Water has finalised their analysis for the Duncannon, Ballyhack and Arthurstown treatment plant, adding that work will commence on it in 2018. He said the Kilmore Quay plant will begin in a similar time frame.
‘Further significant improvements have been carried out in Clonroche and Fethard on Sea. Piercestown will connect into Wex- ford town. The bundle scheme had slowed but it’s ramping up now. We will see all of these completed in 2019.’
Cllr Ireton asked about Ferns and Camolin’s treatment plants and was told these would happen when the aforementioned plants are completed.
‘We’re talking 20 years before anything is done for Camolin and Ferns. Raw sewage is going into our rivers and we’re supposed to have free water!’