“This is urgent” – Wastewater facilities badly needed in Bonmahon

The future development of Bonmahon is reliant on vital investment into wastewater treatment in the area.

Cllr Catherine Burke raised the issue at a meeting of the Comeragh district council last week, saying that there are currently three septic plants in Bonmahon that are overflowing. Consequently, no new housing can be built in the area.

She added that during the upcoming tourist season the issue is aggravated.

“The ongoing absence of proper wastewater infrastructure in Bonmahon poses a serious environmental and public health risk particularly during peak tourist seasons” Cllr Burke said.

“The lack of basic services is also a significant barrier to rural development and has contributed to rural decline in the area preventing new housing, new businesses and tourism investment.

 “This is urgent. The river is polluted with human waste.” 

Cllr Burke called on the council to write to Uisce Eireann and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage calling for the urgent inclusion of Bonmahon in Uisce Eireann’s capital investment plan.

The motion was supported by fellow councillors in the district, including from Cllr Liam Brazil who expressed concern over Uisce Eireann's lack of investment into the region to date:

“Uisce Eireann are a faceless group of people. You can’t meet them, you can’t see them and they’re accountable to nobody" Cllr Brazil said.

"If we want to keep our schools, GAA clubs, pubs and shops we have to go with the times and Uisce Eireann are holding back the smaller villages here.”