Oral hearing on Vartry water plant

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. ‘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.’

Irish Water said in a statement that the works are essential. 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, particularly during drought periods.

They said that the treated water from Vartry provides drinking water for 200,000 people.