Vol. 482 No. 3
246 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, which are in place for the collection and treatment of sewage in the Dublin area to bring it into line with EU requirements; the plans, if any, there are for the disposal of the sewage sludge after treatment; and whether these disposal plans will incorporate the principle that all waste should be dealt with as close to its source as possible. [17818/97]
Dublin Corporation's proposals for the Dublin Bay project, comprising four contracts for the collection and treatment of wastewater, together with the treatment and disposal of sludge, are currently proceeding through the pre-construction stages. The project will ensure that Dublin fully complies with the requirements of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and other water quality requirements, such as the Bathing Water Directive. This will include ensuring that the present practice of disposal of sludge at sea is discontinued.
Two contracts, relating to wastewater treatment and the disposal after treatment of sludge, are currently the subject of public procurement through competitive design and build operate tenders. The proposals for the disposal of sludge that are finally approved will be required to have regard to the principles underlying my Department's sludge strategy. The other two contracts, comprising a major pumping station at Sutton and a submarine pipeline, are also at an advanced stage of planning with the objective of discontinuing the discharge of untreated sewage at the nose of Howth, and instead conveying it to the treatment plant at Ringsend.
In addition to the Dublin Bay project, other major projects are under construction or being planned for the collection and conveyance of wastewater to Ringsend. A new collection system in the Dún Laoghaire area, stretching from Bulloch Harbour to the West Pier pumping station at Dún Laoghaire, has been under construction and is now nearing completion. Dublin Corporation's preliminary report for upgrading the collection system in the North Dublin area including the North Fringe interceptor sewer has been approved recently.
