*Photograph: Ruairí Ó Conchúir.
Compensation for locals who had property damaged as a consequence of foul discharge from Doolough treatment plant in West Clare has been sought.
A discharge to the Annageeragh river in April prompted a joint investigation by Irish Water and Clare County Council. Parts of the river turned orange following “issues encountered with the on-site sludge treatment process”. Irish Water confirmed, “the discharge occurred at the New Doolough Water Treatment Plant (WTP) where processes are in place to treat this material, known as sludge” and that the issues have been resolved.
Low flow in the river was attributed for it taking a number of days for the material to make its way down towards Annageeragh Bridge. “Irish Water and Clare County Council undertook immediate action to identify the cause of the discharge and prevent a similar discharge in the future. We are continuing to examine further remedial actions that may be undertaken”. The incident has been reported to the Environmental Protection Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
Importation of old sludge from the Old Doolough water treatment plant has been suspended pending further remedial works at the plant.
Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) had requested information on the foul discharge from Doolough particularly the cause, the amount of discharges in two years, the impact on the river water, fish population and animals, how the damage would be assessed. He also called on Irish Water “to accept responsibility for any damage caused to humans, animals and fish” and asked what steps Irish Water will take to ensure that there are no repeat discharges.
In response Irish Water stated, “As part of daily plant operations, water from the sludge treatment process and from the backwash water tank are discharged daily from the plant. This has been ongoing normal operating practice at both of the Doolough plants. There have been no notifiable discharge incidents in the past two years”.
Commissioned in 1984, the new Doolough water treatment plant “is in need of upgrade,” the spokesperson responded. “Irish Water is currently progressing an upgrade of this plant, which include upgrades to the sludge treatment process. The estimated completion date for these works is June 2022”.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Kelly was not satisfied with the response. “Locals tell me it has happened frequently,” he remarked of the discharges, “it has implications for animals, fish and humans, it is unbelievable it came as far south as the bridge in Cree”. He maintained a repeat scenario cannot be let occur and appealed for locals to be compensated for “damage to their property”. His proposal was seconded by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG).
