Contractor set to address wastewater concerns in Limerick town
AN ENGINEERING Service Provider has been tasked with the design and development of a preferred wastewater treatment solution in Askeaton, Limerick.
Uisce Éireann confirmed the appointment of the contractor as raw sewage flowing into the River Deel in Askeaton has been an issue of concern for locals for many years.
Work has commenced on the design and development of the wastewater treatment solution Uisce Éireann also confirmed.
Following the monthly meeting of the Municipal District of Adare/Rathkeale on Tuesday, Cathaoirleach Adam Teskey said: “This is the first official response from [Uisce Éireann] with regards to their intentions on how to expedite and how to invest in the sewerage system in Askeaton.
“It is welcomed, the town of Askeaton is crying out for investment and it has been prohibited from that much-needed investment because nobody in Askeaton can construct - be it residential or commercial, they cannot get a connection to the sewerage system as is.
“This has been years in the making and it is going on too long,” Cllr Teskey added.
The design brought forward will be progressed through the necessary statutory processes up to and including all licensing requirements, planning permissions, along with site route selection for the proposed works.
Upgrade works have also been completed to the current wastewater plant in Askeaton.
Although Uisce Éireann provided an update on the Askeaton wastewater treatment plant they said they did “not have the resources available to attend council meetings in each county” when asked to attend the monthly meeting of the Municipal District of Adare/Rathkeale.
Independent Cllr John O’Donoghue believes more needs to be done by Uisce Éireann between “wastewater treatment and boil water notices”.
Speaking at the monthly Adare/Rathkeale meeting, Cllr O’Donoghue said: “[Uisce Éireann] haven’t written to customers affected by the boil water notice in Foynes. Older people are getting sick”.
Independent Cllr Emmett O’Brien outlined that not every member of the community would have access to text message updates to learn about the boil water notices, especially the elderly.
“It’s very disappointing. [Uisce Éireann] should send letters,” Cllr O’Brien said.