VARTRY PLANT ORAL HEARING IS ONGOING
AN ORAL HEARING regarding proposed works at the Vartry water treatment plant in Roundwood is under way at the Glenview Hotel.
The hearing started on Monday and is expected to proceed into today (Wednesday).
The decision has been appealed by a number of groups in the Ashford area on the basis that Irish Water were not required to undertake an Environmental Impact Statement as part of their planning permission. Social Democrat Cllr. Jennifer Whitmore will be speaking at the Oral Hearing, following her submission to ABP on this case. Cllr. Whitmore has a background in fisheries management and environmental law. Whitmore, speaking from the Oral Hearing, said: I am very glad that the Oral Hearing has been held. It is proving to be a very useful exercise, where all parties can outline their concerns, and put forward their own arguments It is giving the public an opportunity to hear first hand what is being proposed. And its value is certainly demonstrated by the fact that there is standing room only for the first two days of the hearing,’ she said.
She said that she an EIS should be undertaken. She said that there is very little information on the quality or quantity of fish stocks in the Vartry.
‘It is my belief that there is a compromise to be had. I have no issue with the treatment plant being built. It is the operation of the plant, and the intended reduction in flow to the Vartry, that concerns me. I believe that a significant river monitoring programme should be established while the plant is being built. The information from this programme should be used to estimate the impact of water reduction to the Vartry and that any decisions to change the flow into the river be based upon this solid, scientific evidence.’ The planned upgrade to the water treatment plant was granted planning permission in November 2016.
Irish Water said in a statement that in the past two years they have met with residents, stakeholders and elected representatives to discuss the need for the project. ‘Treated water from Vartry provides drinking water for one of the most densely populated areas in the country, providing water for 200,000 people from Roundwood, through Wicklow and up to south Dublin. For example between Wicklow Town and Greystones, there is no alternative water supply available for residents and businesses. Without the upgrade to the Vartry Water Treatment Plant, Irish Water would need to restrict or cease allowing new connections for homes and businesses, or increases in water usage for businesses in the region to protect existing customers and maintain the current level of service,’ said the body in a statement. The Vartry Water Supply Scheme is currently on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Remedial Action List (RAL) which identifies supplies that are in urgent need of improvement. The Vartry Water Treatment Plant presently has inadequate treatment against trihalomethanes or THMs. Irish Water has put in place the first national THM plan and has prioritised a programme of investment to address all inadequacies in drinking water parameters including THMs. Irish Water project manager Geoff O’Sullivan said that they have committed to a number of significant measures to protect the ecology of the River Vartry,