Controversial wastewater plans in county Waterford are put on hold
Clonea Power
Plans to develop a wastewater treatment plant in the village of Clonea-Power have been placed on hold, as Waterford Council have requested further information from Uisce Eireann regarding the development.
In recent weeks, Uisce Eireann submitted a 10-year planning application for the development of a constructed wetland wastewater treatment plant in the village.
The plans involve the development of the new plant with a stormwater management system, septic tank, four constructed wetland ponds and new access roads.
Following the submission of the plans, close to twenty submissions were made by concerned locals.
Two primary issues are pinpointed in the submissions: The lower portion of the village not being serviced by the plant, and the potential odour from the plant that could impact nearby houses.
Representing the area, Cllr Seanie Power told the Waterford News & Star he is “very concerned” that only a portion of the village will be serviced by the plant.
In their request for further information, Waterford City and County Council’s planning department said that the documents submitted by Uisce Eireann are not sufficient to enable a decision to be made on the planning application.
The local authority says that the omission of houses to the south of the River Clodiagh and the local public house has been identified as a potential risk to the ecological health of the river. It is understood that sewerage is currently entering the river from this portion of the village.
Uisce Eireann has been requested to expand on the site selection process and submit a detailed odour impact assessment.
Cllr Power said he welcomes the request for further information and all the submissions that were made by members of the public.
“There's absolute dismay excluding the public house and the houses to the south of the river where sewerage is entering the river. It’s crazy.
"I’d ask that we pursue Uisce Eireann to take in the whole village because the river is being contaminated at the minute."
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