Site for Ballygawley plant bought but plan rejected
IRISH Water will not invest in a waste water treatment plant for the village of Ballygawley, a decision which has been described as “deplorable” by councillor Thomas Healy.
He said there had been a long-term investment strategy from Sligo County Council, which predated the establishment of Irish Water, to provide a waste water treatment plant for the village of Ballygawley.
“I have been lobbying Irish Water in order to establish a clear time line for this investment and am very disappointed to have received a negative reply from them this week.
“Irish Water has stated that they do not intend to provide this facility.
“This is a deplorable decision especially when you bear in mind that the County Council had purchased a site for this treatment plant already and the village of Ballygawley has grown hugely in the last ten years alone.”
“Similar sized, or even smaller towns and villages in Sligo have their own stand alone waste water treatment plants.
“Ballygawley residents and business owners deserve to have equal facilities to everyone else.
“Even worse is the suggestion to me by Irish Water to apply for a connection to the Collooney plant three kilometres away.
“I successfully lobbied for a major upgrade of the Collooney plant but despite these works I still discovered raw sewage being pumped into the Owenmore river from the Collooney plant due to shock loading of the system.”
“I will be taking this further, it is just not good enough in this day and age.
“The last report from the Environmental Protection Agency found that we did not meet mandatory EU standards and that raw sewage is being released into our waters damaging our environment and health.
“This is as a result of the failure of previous governments to invest adequately and the EU Commission has now commenced infringement proceedings against the state for lack of waste water treatment.
“I will be raising this with Deputy Martin Kenny and hope to have it brought directly to the attention of the responsible Minister, Eoghan Murphy,” said Cllr Healy.