Lough Ennell is a 'premier trout fishery', Cllr Andrew Duncan has pointed out.

‘Abdicating responsibility’ on water waste treatment

Published: Thu 12 Oct 2023, 2:16 PM

Westmeath County Council have been accused of having “absolutely abdicated responsibility” on issues relating to waste water treatment.

The accusation was made by Cllr Andrew Duncan at the September meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, when the response he was given to two separate queries stated that his questions had been submitted to Uisce Éireann for their response.

Cllr Duncan had asked that the executive detail how many treatment plants are not working in the county.

A second query raised by Cllr Duncan was on the arrangement the council has with either Irish Water or the contractor operating the Clonmore sewage treatment plant.

He was particularly anxious to know what agreement was in place in relation to all waste/sludge – other than that emanating from Mullingar town – being treated there.

Director of services Deirdre Reilly said that a presentation on the subject could be arranged, but Cllr Duncan admitted he was frustrated at the fact that queries had to be referred to Irish Water. The Fine Gael man has for some time been expressing concern about the quality of the waterways locally.

Premier trout fishery

“We have a lake there that is one of the premier brown trout fisheries in the world – not even in Ireland, in the world – which is now in very great danger because – in my belief, there are inadequacies in the treatment plan.”

Cllr Duncan said that while he was “not absolutely certain” Westmeath County Council were responsible for water quality issues, he suspected that was the case.

“But I’m certain of one thing: we’ll never get to the bottom of the problem if all we can do is wait for Uisce Éireann to come back with responses.”

District mayor, Cllr John Shaw, agreed there was substance to the complaints made by Cllr Duncan, and said that a full and frank presentation should be given to councillors at their next meeting in relation to the treatment of water in this district.

Immediate stop

By way of notice at the same meeting, Cllr Duncan asked that the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad instruct Irish Water/the operators of Mullingar waste treatment plant to cease with immediate effect treatment of all other waste other than that from Mullingar town catchment.

To this the response was that the Motion has been submitted to Uisce Éireann for their direct response.

Cllr Duncan responded that he was not accepting this response, because he is concerned that lorry loads of sludge from other towns and villages around Westmeath are being taken by Westmeath County Council to Mullingar for treatment – but downstream, there are water quality issues.

Backing for Cllr Duncan’s stance came from Cllr Ken Glynn, who said urgent action is needed.

“I think it’s not unreasonable what Cllr Duncan is asking: it’s a temporary stall until we get the correct answers,” he said.

Cllr Glynn also felt Uisce Éireann should attend a meeting to answer in public the questions the local representatives wish to ask on behalf of the public.

Cllr Frank McDermott said it was a serious issue – but he asked what would happen to the sludge for the areas currently having their sludge treated in Mullingar.

Cllr Shaw shared that concern: “I’m not saying water quality is not a serious issue, but I’m aware we are emptying sludge from Killucan Manor and Ashcroft and Raharney for the last 10 years on a monthly basis: if it doesn’t go to Mullingar, it’ll go to Tullamore or go somewhere else.”

Director of services, Deirdre Reilly, pointing out that she was on her first day in the role of director of services, said she agreed water quality should be a concern. “I do give you a guarantee that at the next meeting I’ll have some kind of a response for you,” she told Cllr Duncan.