Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I wish to raise the issue of the Drogheda wastewater treatment plant. I have seen media reports that Irish Water has said that it is executing a programme of capital works at the plant through 2021 and 2022, but we have yet to see any benefit whatsoever from those works. The ongoing issue of foul odours has been raised multiple times by residents, and the EPA has issued directives to Irish Water and the plant operators many times to deal with those issues. That residents are complaining of smells is also an indicator that the environmental or contamination controls are not adequate. We know they are not because all of us who live in Drogheda have to suffer and endure those foul odours, especially at night.

I have another concern, and that is that the municipal wastewater is a breeding ground for several bacteria, fungi and viruses. Toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and methane are also present in high levels in areas such as influent lines and settling and clarification tanks. We now know that the digesters at the wastewater plant are leaking and that a consultant's report recommended that the plant cease operation of the digesters and decommission them at the earliest available opportunity. We need urgent assurance that this is not a danger to public health and that it is being dealt with properly by Irish Water.

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