New wastewater plant for Kinvara – Cannon

Fine Gael TD for Galway East, Ciaran Cannon, says the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Kinvara is very welcome and will end the totally unacceptable practice of untreated sewage being discharged directly into Kinvara Bay.

“Irish Water, with the support of Galway County Council, has signed a contract which will allow the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Kinvara, catering for a population of 1,300. The development also includes a new marine outfall pipe for the effective discharge of treated wastewater. A separate contract to upgrade the town’s sewer network is also expected to be signed within the coming weeks. This is a combined investment of over €5.1 million.

“The contractor is expected to begin the final design of the plant this month, with works beginning at the site in early 2016. Irish Water says it expects to have completed construction of the new plant, the new marine outfall pipe and the upgrade of the sewer network in early 2017.
“In addition, Irish Water is working on proposals to connect a number of private housing developments to the Kinvara Sewerage Scheme.

“This essential infrastructural funding for Kinvara is very welcome and good news for the community. It is an important and crucial step in meeting the current and future needs of the many homes and businesses in Kinvara and the town’s thriving tourist industry. The wastewater treatment plant, which will be located to the north west of Kinvara in the townland of Ballybranagan, will have additional capacity to cater for peaks during the tourist season. The site also allows for any future expansion to support population growth.

“Kinvara is one of 44 towns and villages in Ireland with no wastewater treatment facilities. Funding secured through water charges allows Irish Water to prioritise investment as part of a national programme to end the unacceptable practice where untreated sewage is discharged into coastal and inland waterways. Once these works are completed in Kinvara all the raw sewage in the town will be collected and directed to the new wastewater treatment plant. The treated wastewater will then be safely discharged to Kinvara Bay via the new marine outfall pipe. This will result in the improvement of water quality at bathing waters in the Estuary.

“I’m particularly delighted for the people of Kinvara, who have waited patiently for this development. I made a commitment to them in 2011 that if this project didn’t come to fruition I wouldn’t run for election again. I’ve honoured that commitment and ultimately that is what politics is about, earning people’s trust and working with them to enhance their communities.”