No remaining capacity in some local sewerage schemes
An up to date report on the sewerage treatment plants in Fermoy, Mitchelstown and surrounding areas, has revealed that a number of local schemes have reached maximum capacity.
Having consulted with Irish Water, County Engineer Kevin Morey provided information stating that where there is no headroom (spare capacity) available, the most current information from Irish Water in relation to upgrade plans were provided.
The report found that wastewater treatment plants in Glanworth, Glenville and Mitchelstown currently have no remaining headroom available, while the system in Castlelyons is 'underloaded'.
In Glanworth, according to the plan, ‘Irish Water is proposing to upgrade to an 800 person equivalent’ (PE). However, no programme for this expansion is available yet.
News of this follows a motion put forward by Cllr Frank O’Flynn at Monday’s Northern Committee meeting, for an up to date report in relation to the present stats and the capacity to meet future housing and industrial development needs, along with the status of those needing upgrading, and details and timeframe on the plan to increase capacity.
ESSENTIAL WORKS?
According to Cllr O’Flynn, PC Quality Homes has planning permission for 31 houses in Glanworth and are currently in discussions with Irish Water with a view to funding the upgrade works on the Glanworth Sewerage Treatment Plant.
“The upgrade works are on hold at the minute because of Covid restrictions. I’m surprised it’s on hold, you’d expect that a sewerage treatment plant would be considered essential,” he added.
An upgrade of the Mitchelstown Waste Water Treatment Plant is included in the current Irish Water Capital Investment Plan 20202024.
“The planned upgrade will provide for the existing domestic and non-domestic load with provision for growth in accordance with National Planning Framework guidelines with an additional 10% headroom and provision for existing licensed industry. Irish Water’s Source Control section is to enforce the existing discharge licence requirements at industrial connections to reduce the actual PEs at the plant by ensuring that all discharges are compliant.
“Irish Water have decided to progress this project through the Early Contractor Involvement ( ECI) procurement method. Currently, the project is with Irish Water’s Asset Planning Department where it is undergoing scope and contractor’s brief preparation for award to the chosen ECI contractor,” the report reads.
Cllr O’Flynn pointed to the large number of people working and living in Mitchelstown, claiming that families and young people are not getting the opportunity to live and work in the locality because of the current wastewater treatment plant situation.
“Some have enough capacity to meet the current and future needs, but the problem seems to be Mitchelstown. It’s not good enough. Mitchelstown looks to be put on hold. There are quite a lot of people on the housing list and who want to build houses in their own locality and they can’t because of this.
“It’s going on now for too long. Housing and planning applications have been put on hold because the sewerage treatment plant can’t take the extra capacity, it’s not good enough. I’m calling on Irish Water to immediately make a decision and put in place the necessary funding,” Cllr O’Flynn said.
‘NO CAPACITY’ AT GLENVILLE
Comment in the report regarding the Glenville plant, notes there is ‘no capacity available’ with the site serving a 554 person equivalent.
“Glenville is quite near Cork City and it’s a beautiful village but it cannot develop because of this. I’m calling on Irish Water to put in place plans for upgrading the plant in Glenville,” Cllr O’Flynn told The Avondhu.
The report also states that the Castlelyons waste water treatment plant is currently ‘underloaded’ serving a 365 person equivalent, while having a remaining capacity for a further 835 person equivalent.
Several other areas - Ballyhooly, Ballynoe, Castletownroche, Clondulane, Conna, Doneraile, Fermoy, Kildorrerry, Killavullen, Kilworth, Rathcormac and Shanballymore - were all listed as having ‘capacity available’.