An interim upgrade of Dunmanway’s wastewater treatment plant is scheduled for completion by mid-2026, adding capacity for up to 50 newly-built homes.
In the latest development of the Dunmanway wastewater saga, Minister for Heritage, Nature and Biodiversity and Cork South West TD Christopher O’Sullivan, revealed that the ‘interim options analysis has now been completed with the measures funded, scheduled, and a roadmap in place to see the work done by mid next year.’
The project will focus on upgrading the site’s aeration system, with work set to start in the fourth quarter of 2025 and completion penciled in for the second quarter of 2026.
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Issues with wastewater treatment have long been a barrier to building development in Dunmanway.
The minister said this interim upgrade marked meaningful progress toward addressing that challenge.
Down to sewer capacity limits, no new housing permissions have been granted in the town since 2020.
Nevertheless the population of Dunmanway as of the most recent census is 1,964, a relatively significant increase of about 300 people since 2016.
The plans have been welcomed, with Tim Buckley, chairperson of the Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce, saying that the local action group ‘has been campaigning for something to be done for the last three to four years and there have been many disappointments along the way. This news is greeted with delight in Dunmanway’.
‘We’ve been in discussion with Uisce Éireann and Cork County Council who said there would be a long-term upgrade finished in 2032. While we were always disappointed with that length of time, we welcome that the short-term development is coming along within 12 months.’
Dunmanway’s wastewater treatment plant has been struggling to handle capacity as tankers continue bringing sludge from other West Cork towns, sparking anger among locals.
Effluent from the wastewater plant has been discharged into the Bandon River too, a special conservation area, raising environmental concerns.
Minister O’Sullivan added: ‘I have been in weekly contact with Uisce Éireann over Dunmanway and have seen both their long and short term plans for the treatment plant.
‘This development is significant and to be welcomed. It will allow for a controlled amount of growth by unlocking capacity for up to 50 additional housing units, while allowing the more longer term strategic upgrade to progress. We need to maintain focus on the strategic solution. In that future is a structural upgrade of the system that futureproofs the town.’
Alongside the interim works, Uisce Éireann has confirmed it would accept proposals from developers for the installation of pre‑treatment systems for new developments prior to discharge into the network.
These systems must comply with stringent standards and will be evaluated in the context of the wastewater treatment plant and the receiving waters, the minister said.
