Galway city is struggling to cope with the volume of untreated wastewater released into the Corrib estuary and bay, a new report claims.
As The Times reports, a study by An Taisce estimates untreated water amounting to 30 Olympic size swimming pools in volume every month is being discharged into the Corrib and Galway Bay.
The environmental group’s study says that the Mutton island wastewater treatment plant does not have sufficient capacity to treat wastewater.
The Mutton island plant is currently handling wastewater from Galway city, Oranmore to the south-east and Barna to the west – at a time when the city‘s population is projected for rapid growth.
Local authorities are licensed to use “stormwater overflows” when a sewage treatment plant such as Galway’s Mutton Island is over capacity after heavy rain.
However, An Taisce says its analysis suggests discharges are taking place more regularly than during heavy rainfall.
The environmental group analysed four pollution reports filed by the Claddagh Beach Clean-Up Volunteer Group co-founded by musician Sharon Shannon.
It then compared the dates to rainfall data at the nearest Met Éireann weather station in Athenry, Co Galway, and found that recorded rainfall for the four dates was not unusual.
The report by An Taisce’s head of advocacy Ian Lumley also analysed contamination of three beaches in Galway city which do not have Blue Flag status – Claddagh, Grattan and Ballyloughane beaches.
An Taisce says that a new wastewater treatment plant must be built for the east of the city which would also cater Oranmore and Athenry.
Irish Water said it “is working in partnership with Galway City Council to review the findings of a report issued by An Taisce” and “a full statement will be issued in the coming days”.
Irish Water said it is “committed to ensuring our customers receive a safe and reliable supply of drinking water, and have their wastewater collected and safely returned to the environment”.
Read more in The Times here