An Inishowen-based County Councillor has been left with more questions than answers after seeking information from Irish Water on sewerage project plans for Moville and Greencastle
Sinn Féin’s Albert Doherty has expressed his dismay and disappointment with the responses he received to recent questions submitted to the water authority.
Cllr Doherty had sought information on the development of a sewerage scheme for Moville, but he was unhappy with the response for a number of reasons.
“I am particularly aggrieved with the content, accuracy and apparent lack of research conducted by Irish Water in response to my recent questions submitted to them,” Cllr Doherty said.
“In relation to the proposed Moville sewerage scheme, I asked questions regarding the extent & location of the pipes and outflows and on the impact of the claim by the British Government and the Crown Estates to own all of the seabed of Lough Foyle.
“I further requested information on the possibility of Greencastle being incorporated into the current sewerage project proposals for Moville (At a recent meeting of the Inishowen Municipal District, councillors called for the outflow pipe to go north of Greencastle in to open sea)”.
“No response was received regarding the extent of piping and outflow into the Foyle estuary/ coastal water. Likewise no mention of the impact of the Crown Estate claim was received,” Cllr Doherty said.
Mr Doherty said that he was ‘particularly taken aback’ at the response he received about Greencastle. He said that the response indicated that an Irish Water waste water treatment plant is currently located in Greencastle and that the treatment plant has the necessary authorisation from the Environmental Protection Agency and that Greencastle is not on the priority list for investment.
Cllr Albert Doherty in Greencastle
“This is just unacceptable,” Cllr Doherty said.
“I have visited and made local enquiries in Greencastle to investigate the location of this Irish Water waste water treatment plant. No treatment plant location was found nor local information confirming the existence of an Irish Water recent project.
“However, I did visit a significant septic tank holding with outflow. The local people did not identify the tank as recent or fulfilling the role of a treatment facility.”
Cllr Doherty stated that the role of Irish Water and their investment in the Foyle area will be a necessary programme for local and public representatives to pursue.
In the meantime, he has called for “more informative, comprehensive and detailed responses” to questions posed in relation to the development projects planned by Irish Water.
Tags: