*The proposed new plant would serve Lahinch (pictured) as well as Ennistymon
A SECOND public consultation is to be held on plans for a combined wastewater treatment plant serving Lahinch and Ennistymon, following concerns about its proposed location and the consultation process.
Uisce Éireann is inviting residents, businesses and community groups to give their views on the project.
A public information event will take place at The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon on Thursday, November 19, from 2pm to 7pm.
The proposed development would replace the existing wastewater treatment plants in Lahinch and Ennistymon with a single facility and associated infrastructure serving both communities.
The project has attracted opposition over the proposed site at Calluragh, the planned marine outfall near Cregg Beach, pipeline routes and potential environmental and marine impacts.
The proposals have also prompted concerns from environmental campaigners, with the West Coast of Ireland Chapter of the Surfrider Europe Foundation previously raising objections to the potential impact of the project on marine wildlife, public access and local surf breaks.
Independent MEP Michael McNamara previously raised concerns about the consultation process, writing to Uisce Éireann chief executive Niall Gleeson to say residents had not been adequately informed about the proposals.
He also questioned the basis for a figure of 9,300, given its proximity to the 10,000 threshold, saying: “I would be very sceptical of that figure given that 10,000 is the threshold for secondary treatment and the requirement of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report.”
The issue of communication with local representatives was also raised by West Clare councillor Bill Slattery (FG) at a meeting of Clare County Council’s Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee.
Cllr Slattery said there had been “a lot of annoyance” over communication between Uisce Éireann, Clare County Council and local councillors regarding the selection of a preferred route for the proposed wastewater treatment plant.
He said councillors had sought briefings over the previous six months but had received no information, and that he had been told the council’s planning section had received nothing from Uisce Éireann for around nine months.
Cllr Slattery also said landowners had been given the impression that he was aware a route had been selected, which he denied, and called on Uisce Éireann to explain why the route had been chosen and what alternatives had been considered.
At the September meeting of West Clare Municipal District, councillors also agreed to write to Uisce Éireann seeking a second non-statutory consultation before any further significant steps or decisions were taken on the project.
Uisce Éireann previously held a four-week consultation from May 28 to June 25, 2025. The utility said feedback received during that process would be considered by the project team and included in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report submitted with a planning application.
The existing wastewater treatment plants date from 1971 and 1937 respectively. Uisce Éireann says both are overloaded and do not meet required treatment standards.
Speaking about the latest consultation, Paul Fallon, Senior Programme Manager with Uisce Éireann, said the project was important for both communities and acknowledged that people had questions and different views about the proposals.
He said the consultation would allow people to meet the project team, ask questions and share their views, adding that local knowledge and feedback were important as the project continued to develop.
The project is currently progressing through site selection and detailed design.
Further information is available at www.water.ie/lahinch-ennistymon-wwtp or by emailing LahinchEnnistymon@water.ie.
