"Creaking at the seams" is how one Waterford TD has described the wastewater systems in parts of the Copper Coast.
Marc Ó Cathasaigh was speaking in the Dáil where he questioned the Tanasite about levels of investment in Irish Water.
The Tramore based TD said that good water quality is one of the basic requirements to unlocking development outside our cities alongside quality broadband, good public realm and sustainable transport and that we need to get these basics right.
In his address to the Tánaiste, he said that “The Programme for Government commits to mandating Irish Water to develop plans to ensure security of supply and sufficient capacity in drinking and wastewater networks to allow for balanced regional development.”
He added: “Residents in Bonmahon, a beautiful coastal town at the centre of our Copper Coast Geopark, have been told they’ll have to wait beyond 2024 before even being considered for inclusion in Irish Water’s Capital Investment Plan, even though their waste water system is creaking at the seams. I could say something similar about the situation in Tramore Pier, Dungarvan Bay, Waterford Estuary - all with water quality issues, all needing significant investment.”
The Tánaiste recognised the need for extra spending on water infrastructure but said that before looking at expanding the budget, the government would need to look at the reasons behind a €100million underspend this year from Irish Water.
Speaking after the Dáil exchange, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said: “I asked the Tánaiste if we needed to expand the budget for Irish Water’s Capital Investment Plan in order to meet these needs in Waterford and elsewhere because there have been persistent issues around waste water at a number of points along the Waterford coast, including Tramore and Bonmahon. I was surprised to discover there had been a significant underspend of €1m by Irish Water this year and I will be looking further into this.”
“Looking at the specific case of Bonmahon, untreated sewage is being discharged into an area of outstanding natural beauty which is also used as a local swimming area. A similar problem exists in Tramore. This is a health issue and needs to be addressed.”
“I will be writing to Minister O’Brien asking him to investigate the reasons behind this underspend. I will also be writing to Irish Water and will ask them and Minister O’Brien to prioritise some of the Waterford projects which our communities have been fighting for.”
Tom Keith, the Green Party representative for the Comeragh and Copper Coast area remarked: "These discharged pipes should not have been approved in 2011, a mistake was made and now there is serious pollution in the waters around Bonmahon. I am joining the local residents in calling for these discharge pipes to be sealed immediately. The appropriate arrangements can be made to deal with the waste water by Waterford City and County Council to avoid untreated sewage going into a recreational public space and an important and sensitive ecosystem. Irish Water have begun to engage on the medium term improvements in upgrading the treatment facility to modern standards, and this needs to be prioritised."
WATCH the exchange between Deputy O'Cathasaigh and the Tanaiste here:
main pic: members of the community at a protest event earlier this year highlighting water quality in the Bonmahon area
