Irish Water announce details of major plan for a new sewage scheme covering Inchigeelagh area
PLANS are in the pipeline to construct a new sewage scheme in Inchigeelagh, which Irish Water says will completely eliminate the discharge of untreated wastewater into the River Lee.
The company is set to submit a planning application for the scheme, which will involve the construction of a new wastewater plant and sewerage infrastructure in the village, within the coming weeks.
Irish Water, which is delivering the project in conjunction with Cork County Council, said it will be tailored to accommodate future population growth and act as a “platform for social and economic development” of the area.
“Ensuring that all discharges meet the requirements set out in the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive will help protect the receiving waters of the River Lee. This in turn will enhance the tourism and amenity value of Inchigeelagh and surrounding areas in the Lee Valley, while also providing a platform for future growth in the area,” said Irish Water regional head Anthony Kavanagh.
He said that as a gateway to West Cork, Inchigeelagh has great potential to develop more as a popular tourist destination in its own right.
“By ending the unacceptable practice of discharging untreated wastewater into the River Lee, this project will boost the area by enhancing the local environment, protecting health and supporting economic development,” said Mr Kavanagh.
“With tourism and water-based activities becoming ever more popular, the importance of providing effective treatment of wastewater cannot be overstated, both for those who live and work in the area and for the many visitors to this beautiful part of County Cork.”
The project is being delivered under the umbrella of Irish Water’s multi-million Euro investment plan, that prioritises leakages, water supply zones removed from the EPA’s Remedial Action List, areas where there is raw sewage entering the rivers, lakes and the sea and other areas that have been identified by the European Court of Justice under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
A number of similar schemes are already underway across County Cork to end the discharge of untreated wastewater, including completed projects in Courtmacsherry and Timoleague and ongoing works at Cork Lower Harbour, Castletownbere, Whitegate-Aghada, Castletownshend and Ballycotton.