LOUGH TALT SOLUTION ‘A COMPLEX PROCESS’
IRISH Water says it is engaged in an “extremely complex process” with regard to finding a solution for a clean water supply from Lough Talt.
The water utility is proposing to construct a water treatment plant downstream of the existing water treatment plant site but was refused planning permission by Sligo County Council and subsequently on appeal by An Bord Pleanála in 2015.
The application was refused permission because An Bord Pleanála could not exclude the possibility that the development, in combination with the abstraction from Lough Talt, would adversely affect the Lough Hoe Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the River Moy SAC (within which Lough Talt is located).
A renewed application has been submitted and is under consideration by the Council which has requested further information from Irish Water which is preparing its response.
Irish Water lodged its new planning application on May 28th last to the Council for essential, emergency upgrade works at the Lough Talt Water Treatment Plant to ensure a secure, clean, safe drinking water supply for the people of the area who have been on a boil water notice since February 5 th which remains in place.
“As is common practice in the planning process, Sligo County Council on Friday, last sought further information from Irish Water to assist them in making a decision on this application.
“Irish Water and its stakeholders are engaged in what is an incredibly complex process due to local environmental constraints and every stakeholder wants to ensure that the right outcome is achieved.
“Irish Water aims to provide a re- sponse to this request for additional information as quickly as possible.
“It is important to note that this is a complex process and it remains an absolute priority of Irish Water’s to ensure this project is delivered successfully for the customers who receive their water from the Lough Talt public water supply,” said a spokesperson for Irish Water.
The Lough Talt Water Treatment Plant is currently on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Remedial Action List (RAL) for both cryptosporidium and Trihalomethanes (THM) risk.
Irish Water says the level of treatment currently provided at the Lough Talt water treatment plant does not provide adequate protection against cryptosporidium.
“Irish Water is advising customers that in the absence of a validated cryptosporidium barrier there is a risk of further cryptosporidium detections in the supply,” said a statement.
It added that the proposed development, if granted planning permission, would provide an effective cryptosporidium barrier and will mitigate against the formation of THMs.
However, Irish Water acknowledges that the long term solution will an alternative water source to supply Tubbercurry and surrounding areas, and therefore Irish Water envisages that the proposed Lough Talt Water Treatment Plant upgrade works will be in place for up to ten years.
Irish Water has also revealed that businesses supplied by the Lough Talt water supply will receive a 40 per cent discount on the water part of their bills in due course dated back to the start of the boil water notice. We are waiting for the CRU to sign off on this and once this has been completed Irish Water will apply the discount to the next bill.”