Treatment plant triggers new era for Oughterard

After a least a decade of stagnation due to the inability of any new developments to connect to the public sewer, Oughterard could be entering a golden age with its water pollution problems set to be a thing of the past.

Next month work will begin on a new wastewater treatment plant in the Connemara town and is expected to be completed within a year.

The existing sewerage plant, which was originally constructed in the early 1970s, caters for a population of 500. It has been at maximum capacity for many years, with only a handful of single properties allowed to join up

It was also identified as a possible source of the cryptosporidium outbreak on Lough Corrib, which resulted in a boil notice being issued across the entire city for the summer of 2007.  Independent laboratory analysis proved emissions from the plant were eight times higher than legal limits. The new facility to be built on a greenfield site adjacent to the existing plant will cater for a population equivalent of 2,400.

The only remaining stumbling block to a complete overhaul of the Oughterard sewer system was that the permission granted by An Bord Pleanála did not give the go-ahead to Irish Water to carry out the improvements to the network and outfall due to risks to the Lough Corrib SAC (Special Areas of Conservation) and the potential negative effects on the species Brook Lamprey and Slender Naiad.

Instead of digging into the ground to replace those pipes, local Councillor Tom Welby said he understands that Irish Water have now decided to use technology which was successful on the Galway City network where an infrared device can harden the existing pipes and seal them.

“No planning has been granted of any consequence because of the sewerage system. It has basically stopped any sort of development in the town. We have environmental issues in regards to the pearl mussels. This will clear up the water in the River Corrib – this is the last antiquated plant on the Corrib after upgrades to Clonbur, Headford and Moycullen,” he explained.

He praised the speed with which Irish Water had taken over the project after it was first mooted by Galway County Council in 1998.

“I have met six ministers in relation to this upgrade and the whole antiquated planning process was designed to slow things down – it was put back from Billy to Jack, from the council to the department. Since Irish Water have come on board things have moved at breakneck speed,” he enthused.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.