Killucan sewage overflows persist

Ongoing issues at Killucan Manor Drive (right) have sparked frustration among both residents and council members, as unresolved sewage and infrastructure problems continue to affect the quality of life in the estate.

At the November meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, Cllr Emily Wallace pressed for an update on the situation, highlighting health, safety, and financial burdens on residents due to frequent sewage overflows and incomplete roadworks.

“The district is surely aware that residents have to bear the cost of pumping out their sewage every couple of months,” said Cllr Wallace. “This isn’t just a financial burden; it’s a health and safety issue, especially when sewage overflows.”

She told the meeting there are manholes positioned above road level, posing hazards, and stated that inadequate signage only adds to the safety risks. She added that An Post sometimes experience difficulty in delivering to residents.

“There’s a whole plethora of issues that can arise for residents when a housing estate is not taken in charge. But this is years and years going on,” she said, stating that residents are at their wits’ end.

The written response supplied by the district to Cllr Wallace confirmed that installation of the pumping station associated with the grant of planning permission has not taken place to date, which is why the estate cannot be taken in charge in its current condition.

The reply went on to say that a funding stream is necessary to support the construction of a wastewater gravity sewer from the holding tank within the estate, through third party lands, into the main sewer line on the L1015.

“To determine a funding stream to progress taking in charge of this housing estate, engagement is on-going between Uisce Éireann, the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage and Westmeath County Council,” it stated.

Cllr Niall Gaffney added his support to Cllr Wallace, emphasising the stark contrast in infrastructure quality across different parts of Killucan Manor. “Some areas are taken in charge, but others remain untouched, creating a noticeable divide,” he said. “If you walk or drive through, you’ll see where the road dips or where manhole covers are dangerously raised above the ground level.”

He said it was unfair that the situation had been let get to this point while residents were expected to pay property taxes as if they were in a fully serviced area, and suggested that more forceful steps might be required, including enforcement actions, to get the estate up to standard and ensure it can eventually be taken in charge by the council.

Cllr Denis Leonard, echoed the frustrations of the previous speakers and lamented the legacy of incomplete developments left by certain builders.

“The amount of issues left by the developer here made it difficult for it to be taken in charge. A lot of times there’s a snag list of maybe three or four or five items, but there’s so much wrong in that estate,” he said, adding that the sewage issue had been the biggest one.

Cllr Leonard said he had previously suggested that there should be a “blacklist” to prevent developers with a history of leaving projects incomplete from securing future contracts in the county.

Cllr Alfie Devine raised broader concerns regarding wastewater capacity issues across northern Westmeath, which have led to planning rejections for new developments. He expressed hope that an imminent meeting with Uisce Éireann might address that, for Killucan Manor Drive and for other areas.

Director of services Deirdre Reilly acknowledged the complex nature of the legacy issues at the estate and said it has to be dealt with by the end of 2026. A meeting is to take place with Uisce Éireann, “and I will be dealing with this issue along with the other issues that are on that list”.

However, she noted that if responsibility ultimately shifts back to the county council, significant funding would still be required, especially as the council no longer have a dedicated water services section.