Offaly residents left ‘distressed and angry’ over raw sewage ‘destroying’ local roads

People in County Offaly have been left 'distressed and angry' over raw sewage 'destroying' local roads, the Dáil has heard.

The issue was raised by Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack during a recent debate on Uisce Éireann.

Deputy McCormack first took the time to welcome a new initiative which will allow the private sector to develop wastewater systems for smaller housing developments.

While he described the programme as “welcome and necessary”, he said the reality on the ground in Offaly tells a different story. Deputy McCormack said: “Across our towns and villages, expansion is effectively frozen.

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“Homes cannot be built because communities are waiting years, and sometimes decades, for water treatment plants.

“This has left developers, local authorities and approved housing bodies unable to meet housing demand. In the middle of a housing crisis, that is simply unacceptable.”

He went on to highlight his frustration at the inadequacy of wastewater services in some parts of the county.

“In other areas, the situation is even more serious. We have raw sewage coming up through manholes, destroying roads and footpaths and flowing directly into the canal.

“If this were a private company, the State would be all over it, using every environmental regulation available.

“It would be shut down until the problem was solved, yet Irish Water has been allowed to get away with this year after year.”

Deputy McCormack outlined how recent flooding led to serious frustrations in County Offaly.

“Recently, during very heavy rainfall, sewage again surged up through the manholes and reached as far as people’s front doors. Residents were left distressed and angry, and rightly so.

“Irish Water has failed to give proper assurances to residents or councillors that the system will be actively monitored during periods of heavy rainfall, pipes will be kept clear or meaningful temporary measures will be put in place to protect homes.”

He acknowledged work that is planned for Tullamore later this year, but expressed concern that other towns and villages in the county will be forgotten about.

“What about Birr, Cloghan, Banagher, Ferbane, Kilcormac, Rhode and Edenderry? When are we going to get help to allow these towns to grow?

“Even where temporary measures have worked so far, they are exactly that - temporary. At some point they will fail and we will be back to square one.

“That is not good enough. The people of Tyrells Road and Tullamore deserve better.

“The message is simple: stop managing the problem - get it fixed and get the work done now.”

Deputy McCormack concluded by highlighting the importance of progressing the Shannon water supply project.

Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan was present in the chamber on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien.

While Minister O’Sullivan did not give a direct response to Deputy McCormack, he did provide a general response to all members.

He highlighted the work the Government has done to address water issues across the country, but acknowledged that there is much more to do.

He complimented Uisce Éireann on the “significant progress” it has made in that regard, but accepted that the utility is not perfect.

Minister O’Sullivan said: “We realise that Uisce Éireann certainly has not got everything right. We realise there is a necessity to focus on wastewater projects and water supply.

“The Minister and Ministers of State in the Department know there are towns, villages, cities and urban areas where improvements are needed or where basic infrastructure is needed.

“We know that some of these timelines are very hard to stomach and very frustrating but when we think about the various licences and permits that are needed, we can understand.”

He added that the Department will focus on reducing the amount of red tape involved in the delivery of water services.

Minister O’Sullivan concluded by saying that the Government will continue to support Uisce Éireann and the work it is doing nationwide.