Concerns over quality of Clon's drinking water

A WEST Cork councillor believes Clonakilty’s drinking water is being compromised by sewage problems in Shannonvale.

Cllr John O’Sullivan (FG) expressed his annoyance that plans to provide a wastewater treatment system for Shannonvale appears to have slipped down the priority list.

He was speaking at a meeting of the Western Committee in Castletownbere after the county engineer confirmed that the Shannonvale scheme is being ‘re-prioritised.’

But Cllr O’Sullivan said: ‘That is just a grandiose term for kicking the can down the road, which simply isn’t good enough.’

Cllr O’Sullivan pointed out that the village park at Shannonvale is presently cordoned off because there is seepage from the existing septic tank, and that it is located perilously close to the Argideen River.

‘The fact the drinking water intake point at Jones Bridge is downstream from Shannonvale must raise concerns about the drinking water quality for the greater Clonakilty area,’ he added.

Calling on Irish Water to immediately outline their plans for the treatment of wastewater at Shannonvale, he said: ‘Shannonvale is a substantial development – in addition to the original village it has several new developments including a Cork County Council estate – and its needs a proper waste treatment system.

‘When Irish Water installed a new plant in Clonakilty early last year, it included provision for a pumping station at Shannonvale, which would have pumped the waste down to the new plant in Clonakilty.

‘But that pumping station was never built. They got planning permission and were dealing with a local landowner, but it is my understanding that the land deal is not proceeding.

‘This raises very serious questions because what is there isn’t adequate. And, in my opinion, Irish Water has broken a promise to the people of Shannonvale.’

Cllr O’Sullivan has requested Irish Water and the county engineer to provide the Council members with an update because he said: ‘this situation is too serious to ignore.’