Councillor claims Uisce Éireann are 'doing nothing' on Mayo treatment plant

A WESTPORT councillor has accused Uisce Éireann of misleading local councillors and the people of Newport regarding the delivery of the project.

A workshop took place between local councillors and Uisce Éireann in the last number of weeks where an update of the Newport Wastewater Treatment Plant was given and a report stated that the scheme is not expected to be completed before 2030.

Speaking at yesterday's monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn claimed that the report was confirmation that the Newport project was never a priority for Uisce Éireann.

“This is the first time we have had written confirmation that Uisce Éireann have actually been doing nothing over the last decade in relation to the Newport Sewerage Scheme. It really is beyond belief that this has been allowed for the best part of ten years without anything happening. They are killed telling us that 41 out of 50 new treatment plants have been dealt with but at no point did anyone in Uisce Éireann give us seven councillors any indication that Newport had been put on hold,” he told the meeting.

The report stated that an application for a foreshore licence from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2022 but had to be withdrawn in late 2023 after the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was established which replaced the functions of Foreshore Unit.

A new Maritime Usage Licence (MUL) was applied for to carry out the necessary survey work but there is no indication when the licence will be granted.

“A recent submission to the EPA put this project completion date at 2030, with significant caveats around the time it may take to receive the statutory consents required. Estimated completion dates for this or any project will be impacted by planning delays, legal challenges, land negotiations, or licensing delays including an application to MARA for a Marine Area Consent (MAC) which will be required for the operation of the permanent outfall from the proposed Newport Wastewater Treatment Plant,” the report read.

Unacceptable

Cllr Flynn said the answers received from Uisce Éireann, which was formerly known as Irish Water, was unacceptable and proposed that the report be sent to the five TDs in Mayo to follow up with Uisce Éireann.

“We can huff and puff and do all the screaming in this meeting but unfortunately we have no jurisdiction over Uisce Éireann.

“I propose we send the report we received last week to the five new TDs for Mayo and we demand an explanation from Uisce Éireann who have misled the people of Newport and us seven local councillors over the last ten years. It isn't acceptable and we need answers right now. Ten years have been lost on something that should have been dealt with,” he said.

His proposal was seconded by fellow Westport-based councillor Brendan Mulroy who was one of the first councillors to raise the discharge of raw sewage from the Newport plant into Clew Bay.

Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh expressed concern at the contents of the report regarding the delivery of the project and called on Uisce Éireann to ensure it is a priority.

“Uisce Éireann’s response to me, received today [Monday], seems to indicate that the 2030 estimated completion date for the project may be in jeopardy.

“This project has been delayed for decades with promises made at each election reneged upon and it is not good enough. Previous governments have let the people of Newport and Mayo down time after time regarding this project.

“Uisce Éireann talks about all the wastewater projects that it has completed or are currently in construction – but that is worth nothing in Newport, why should the people there have to wait, all the while the businesses and of Newport are paying their water rates with not even the most basic service in return.

“I have again written to the Minister of Housing, who has responsibility for wastewater schemes, to ask that he urgently intervene in this process,” she said.

Denial

A spokesperson for Uisce Éireann denied Cllr Flynn's claims that no work has been done on the Newport project but added it has to be delivered in multiple stages and this can take time.

“The Newport WWTP is currently at Preliminary Business Case (currently Stage 2) where we will develop a short list of solutions, identify the preferred option and calculate an estimated cost.

“As we work through this stage, it should be understood that the planning and consenting process which must be followed to allow us to build this plant has become more complex since UÉ was established.

“A significant amount of data gathering, surveys and assessments are required to support the various consenting processes. Detailed assessments of existing outfalls, and marine modelling of receiving waters are also now needed to meet planning requirements for projects such as Newport.

“Once we are granted a licence and can then carry out the work to complete the Preliminary Business Case we can provide better clarity on the likely timescale for completion of this project, assuming no further unforeseen delays. We will provide a further update to stakeholders once the Maritime Usage Licence is granted,” the Uisce Éireann statement read.