IW appalling failure to deal with malodours warrants severe consequences – O’Dowd
Drogheda TD Fergus O’Dowd has said that it is quite clear at this point that Drogheda’s sewerage treatment plant on the Marsh Road is not fit for purpose and that Irish Water need to be held to account for their continued failures and severe penalties at this stage may be required to ensure accountability into the future.
“Irish Water’s continued failure to deal with the appalling smells in the town warrants severe consequences, fines and possibly legal action if not addressed” the local TD said.
O’Dowd received an update from the EPA’s Inspector of the Urban Waste Water Enforcement Team which indicated that following extensive engagement between the EPA and Irish Water that Irish Water has now brought forward the timeframes to cover the primary settlement tanks.
O’Dowd said: “Last year Irish Water informed me that they planned to cover the primary settlement tanks in 2027. I informed them in no uncertain terms that this would not be acceptable to the people of Drogheda.
“The fact that Irish Water had issued such a long lead-in time for works shocked me at the time and I pressed the EPA to take a leading role in compelling Irish Water to fast track this timeframe.
O’Dowd added “The EPA have now stated Irish Water have brought forward their time frame for works on the settlement tanks to Q3 2024, despite the reduction this remains unacceptable to me and to the EPA.”
