Patrick McCartan
Question:20 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals to end the discharge of untreated sewage off the Head of Howth, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Howth (Dublin) Sewerage Facilities.
The environment action programme stated the Government's decision to eliminate untreated discharges of sewage from major coastal towns by the year 2000.
In accordance with this decision, local authorities concerned were asked to prepare briefs for consultants in appropriate cases so as to allow planning for the programme of coastal discharge improvement to commence at the earliest possible date.
Sewage effluent is currently discharged, following screening, off the Head of Howth. The provision of a modern treatment works for the Howth discharge, together with sludge management and disposal arrangements, have been identified by my Department as a priority scheme under the new programme. Because of the inadequacy of the existing screening arrangements I have also instructed the local authority to prepare contract documents for new screening equipment to be installed as early as possible. The design can be integrated with the treatment proposals now being planned.
The consultants' briefs originally prepared by the local authority were approved by my Department in October 1990. The local authority have recently submitted revised briefs to my Department which will allow for better management and implementation of the various elements of this proposal. The sludge management and disposal element is being integrated with the proposal for Ringsend which requires separate specialised study. Approval has now been issued to the revised briefs.
This and other similar proposals are being developed in line with anticipated EC legislation on municipal waste water disposal.