Irish Water make strides in tackling Donegal’s sewerage problems

 
 

Irish Water has confirmed that raw sewage discharges in County Donegal have been reduced by 60%.
The utility says it plans to invest further in Donegal over the coming years to facilitate ongoing improvements to the county’s wastewater treatment infrastructure.
Since 2014, Irish Water has built new wastewater infrastructure for Bundoran, Killybegs and Saint Johnston and as a direct result, the volume of raw sewage being discharged into waterways has been reduced 60% in Donegal.
Colm Claffey, Regional Delivery Lead with Irish Water has confirmed that in working to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage, land acquisition and planning permission have been obtained for new wastewater treatment plants in Kilcar and Kerrykeel with works due to commence in 2021.
Subject to planning permission, works are to commence in Burtonport in 2021 with works in Rathmullan and Ramelton to follow in 2022.
The utility is also advancing plans to address untreated discharges from Moville and Coolatee.
Mr Claffey says; while significant achievements have been made, Irish Water acknowledges the size and scale of the challenges being faced, inlcuding, planning and land acquisition, and the need to reprioritise investment to respond to emerging needs which have all resulted in slower progress than initially forecast.