Limerick residents want to be connected to wastewater network
Northside residents petition for installation of pump stations
NORTHSIDE residents are calling for their homes to be connected to the public wastewater network, so they no longer need to rely on septic tanks.
A majority of householders based at Old Cratloe Road, Pass Road and Willow Grove have signed a petition calling on council and Uisce Eireann to link them up.
Their call comes as major wastewater and roadworks are under way on the Old Cratloe Road, creating what residents say is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect older homes to the public sewer network.
The area has become a hotbed for development following the completion of the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road, as plans for new homes progress.
But while it’s understood new homes will be linked to the mains network, 41 homes, which date back to a time when the area was more rural, still rely on “ageing” septic tanks to deal with waste.
Residents say in their petition that given the scale, duration and disruption the works are causing, it would be a “critical and unique” opportunity to address long-standing wastewater deficiencies “in a co-ordinated, cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner”.
They argue many homes rely on "ageing or inadequate" septic tanks which may no longer meet modern environmental or public health standards.
“It is unacceptable that new developments are fully serviced by the new sewer network while long-established homes remain excluded,” the petition adds.
As things stand, one local – who did not wish to be identified – claimed that during wet weather toilets can back up, raising fears that failing septic tanks could allow sewage to seep into surrounding ground.
Residents say the homes already have the necessary pipework in place, but two pumping stations are required before all properties can be connected to the public sewer network.
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Natasha McGarry, a senior executive engineer with Limerick City and County Council told councillors at the last metropolitan district meeting that talks have been held to get one pump station put in place.
This will mean homes at Old Cratloe Road could be connected, but not in Willow Grove or Pass Road. "They are outside the scheme extents,” Ms McGarry said, referring to the latter two estates. “We have asked Uisce Eireann to fund these also. These talks are ongoing.”
There was cross-party support for a motion at the metropolitan meeting from councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara, who asked for both pump stations to be installed to cover all the homes.
Councillor Olivia O’Sullivan said it’s “not acceptable” to extend the suburbs northwards and leave locals cut off from the network.