EPA instructs Irish Water to act on bad Marsh Road smell
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a formal directive to Irish Water to take urgent action on the bad smell that persists along the Marsh Road. The stink has been linked in the past to the Waste Water Treatment Plant ( WWTP) which is located in the area, and despite numerous investigations by Irish Water, which is responsible for the running of the plant, there is still a massive problem.
The actions demanded by the EPA include: Ensure the WWTP is operated and maintained at all times to ensure it avoids causing nuisance through odours.
Carry out odour supressing dosing on the East Meath Network. Carry out weekly monitoring of waste water at a number of locations in the WWTP until the end of September 2021 and take corrective actions in the event the monitoring results indicate a potential risk of generating nuisance odours.
Complete an odour source audit, odour monitoring and odour modelling report over the summer to quantify and rank the odour sources for the entire site.
Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd has raised this issue many times over the past few years and was responsible for contacting the EPA about the stench, says he will not rest until there are proper answers.
‘ This is a huge problem for the town and residents, and it is not good enough that it is still happening,’ says Deputy O’Dowd. ‘I welcome the directive from the EPA, which means Irish Water will have to carry out weekly tests on the plant, as well as treat the wasterwater which comes in from East Meath, which lies in the pipes too long, causing an egg-like stench.’
One of the settlement tanks at the plant has already been shut down by Irish Water as it is likely a source for a bad smell.
Last year, Irish Water told Deputy O’Dowd, local counsellors and resident that it is committed to the investigation of complaints received and a review and action of any issues that may emerge.
‘We are currently assessing the plant and network for issues. We are working with the Wastewater Treatment Plant operators (EPS Limited) and Louth County Council who manage the network, to resolve any potential issues,’ said the statement. ‘’Irish Water is currently developing an action plan to address any potential odour sources that are identified as part of this assessment and will provide a further update on this as soon as possible.