Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 5

Adjournment Debate. - Tramore (Waterford) Sewerage System.

Mr. Deasy

A Cheann Comhairle, as you well know as a representative of the people of South Tipperary, Tramore is one of our premier seaside resorts but it has a totally inadequate and antiquated sewerage system. I ask that positive steps be taken immediately to rectify a very unsatisfactory situation. A new scheme has been planned for a number of years, the first tranche of Structural Funds has been passed and vouched for but the scheme in Tramore has not proceeded. I want to ensure it proceeds within the scope of the second tranche of Structural or Cohesion Funds. The position is intolerable and we cannot put the future of the resort in jeopardy because of an inadequate sewerage scheme.

There have been some points of dispute and two main structures are involved. The first is the sewerage treatment plant which is to be located in Riverstown close to a county council housing estate. The residents in that area feel aggrieved that such a plant should be sited so close to a built up area and one can easily understand their fears. I suggest the Department of the Environment site this treatment plant elsewhere in the back strand area, somewhere in the vicinity of the town dump and away from a built up area.

The second, and probably more contentious problem, is the location of the outfall pipe. The initial plan from the Department of the Environment indicated that this was to be at an area in the back strand quite close to the Saleen beach. This has proven to be totally unacceptable to local residents who see that a very valuable amenity could be destroyed if the sewage discharge pipe were located there. They have proposed an alternative method of disposal, the extension of the existing outfall pipe or the replacement in the same location by a much longer pipe for disposal of the treated sewage at the same location. That does not appear an unreasonable request.

Apparently there is considerable friction between senior technical people in the Department of the Marine and the Department of the Environment concerning the location of the discharge pipe. There is a belief that the whole scheme may be held up because of the conflict between the two Departments. I want that conflict sorted out and the scheme to proceed with the outfall pipe going out to sea near the location of the existing outfall pipe.

If the points of dispute are not settled then the scheme cannot progress. I suggest the Department of the Marine's scheme be accepted and that Tramore can have a sewerage scheme which will be of the highest standard and will replace the totally unacceptable antiquated system.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Mr. Allen)

Like you, a Cheann Comhairle, and Deputy Deasy I am a frequent visitor to Tramore and I always take delight in its attractions. I am pleased to address the problem raised by Deputy Deasy. The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Howlin, is aware of the need for an improved sewage treatment facility for Tramore, which depends very heavily on tourism; the existing system which involves the discharge of untreated sewage to the sea through a short sea outfall off the main beach is clearly unsatisfactory.

In developing proposals for a new scheme to serve the town, Waterford County Council was conscious of the need to protect the quality of the main strand, which is of vital importance to the town. My Department approved the preliminary report for the project in January 1993, after the then Minister had certified an environmental impact statement subject to certain modifications. These modifications relate to the relocation of the sludge dewatering building, the incorporation of odour controls and relocation of the stage I treatment unit.

Some difficulties concerning the location of the sea outfall have arisen in connection with Waterford County Council's application for a licence under the Foreshore Act, 1933. It may be helpful, therefore, if I provide some brief background information on this aspect of the proposal.

Three outfall options from the proposed treatment works were considered by the council and their consultants in the design phase of the scheme. All three options were subjected to extensive investigation including effluent dispersal, modelling and marine surveys. An intermittent discharge outfall at Rinnashark was recommended. The environmental impact statement concluded that this outfall, subject to meeting certain conditions, was environmenttally acceptable. The Department of the Marine, in response to the foreshore licence application from Waterford County Council, has expressed a preference for an alternative location for the outfall pipe together with a long sea outfall. This would, however, add considerably to the capital costs of the scheme.

Attempts to resolve this issue are continuing. In the meantime, planning of the treatment works element of the scheme is being advanced. The overall work is not dependent on the decision regarding the outfall location. The project has been approved by the European Commission for support from the Cohesion Fund.

I indicated at the outset that the Minister is aware of the problems in Tramore. The need for a new scheme is accepted and Deputy Deasy can be assured that every effort is being made to advance it.