Untreated sewage including 'solids' visible metres from Waterford beach as traffic cone used as make-shift filter 

Representatives of a group campaigning for improved waste water facilities in their area of County Waterford have described the findings of an EPA report into their area as "deeply shocking and entirely unacceptable".

The report into the Bonmahon wastewater system confirmed the discharge of untreated sewage, including visible solids and toilet paper, into the River Mahon just 700 metres from  Bunmahon Beach - a very popular bathing spot for locals and visitors.

In the wake of the reports publication - following a site visit by inspectors - Bonmahon Waste Water Quality group and Sinn Féin representatives described the findings as shocking.

Cllr Catherine Burke and TD, Deputy Conor D. McGuinness commented on the report, which revealed that Bonmahon’s wastewater treatment system is drastically overloaded, with flows reaching more than triple the design capacity. Worse still, EPA inspectors noted that Uisce Éireann are using a makeshift filter fashioned from a traffic cone in a failed attempt to prevent solid waste from reaching the river — a method the EPA deemed 'completely ineffective.'.

“The use of a traffic cone to filter sewage is not just a failure of basic infrastructure but it is an insult to the people of Bonmahon," said Cllr Burke.

"This is a community that has flagged these issues for years, with a petition of over 600 signatures and yet it takes raw sewage floating past swimmers for meaningful scrutiny to happen," she added. "This situation is a public health crisis and a total systems failure.” 

Deputy McGuinness said the situation represented a wider pattern of rural neglect, commenting: “This is a disgrace. The EPA report confirms what locals have known for years - the plant is overloaded, poorly maintained and is discharging raw sewage into the Mahon."

"The failure to fix this infrastructure is not only polluting the river and coastline, it’s also preventing new housing from being delivered for local families who want to stay and build their lives in Bonmahon," said Deputy McGuiness, who went on to comment: "Uisce Éireann told the EPA they had installed a makeshift ‘catch’ system in a manhole to stop solids entering the river which turned out to be a traffic cone. It was completely ineffective. This kind of short-term, slapdash response shows how little regard the authorities have for rural communities."

"It's not good enough," said Deputy McGuinness.

The report, which was seen by Waterford News & Star, also revealed that Uisce Éireann is now asking Waterford City and County Council to re-prioritise Bonmahon within the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme. Bonmahon had been listed as Priority No. 4 but no funding or timeline has been allocated.

“I still don’t know on what basis Bonmahon was ranked where it was in 2019 or 2023," said Cllr Burke.

"It’s not transparent and it’s not fair," she added.

"What I will say, and say clearly, is this, if this matter comes before elected members, I will fight tooth and nail to have Bonmahon upgraded. But I will not support any proposal that involves another town or village being pushed down the list. This cannot be a zero-sum game.”

Cllr Burke said the matter was about people's rights.

"This is about rights, the right to clean water, the right to a safe beach and the right to have infrastructure that reflects the needs of local communities and seasonal pressures like tourism," she said.

"The rights of rural communities; the rights to live where you came from," she added. Describing Bonmahon as a key destination on the Copper Coast she said it's an area that needs to be supported and not neglected.

Deputy McGuinness echoed his party colleague's concerns.

“This is what rural neglect looks like," he said.

"Sewage in the river, housing on hold, and nothing but a traffic cone in place of real investment," he added.

"Uisce Éireann and the Government must take immediate action and fund the infrastructure Bonmahon so clearly needs.” 

The community group and Sinn Féin representatives are demanding: Emergency containment and filtration upgrades to halt raw sewage reaching the River Mahon; Proper desludging schedules and operational standards across all three Bonmahon septic tanks; A transparent and accountable reprioritisation process, with Bonmahon urgently funded for full wastewater infrastructure upgrade.

In conclusion Cllr Burke said: "Uisce Éireann, the EPA, and the Council now all agree, this is not sustainable. But agreement is not action. Bonmahon deserves more than excuses and temporary traffic cone solutions. We will not rest until the people of this community get the infrastructure and respect they are owed.”