Natural disaster averted in North Tipp village
30,000 litres of oil spilled in Wastewater Treatment Plant
A natural disaster was narrowly averted in the Lorrha area recently.
A serious oil discharge from an unknown source in the Lorrha Wastewater Treatment Plant took place on April 11 – 12 and threatened to contaminate the nearby River Shannon and Lough Derg. A Garda investigation is underway into the incident.
Emergency teams responded quickly and stopped the discharge, which was 30,000 litres of oil-contaminated wastewater, from spreading into the surrounding watertable.
The emergency services said the oil contamination “posed a significant threat to the nearby River Shannon and Lough Derg,both EU-designated Special Areas of Conservation.”
"This was a potentially devastating incident," Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh told a recent Council meeting. "Oil entering a wastewater system is a major threat to both plant operations and the wider environment. Had this discharge not been identified and contained quickly, the impact on the river and downstream ecosystems could have been severe." Uisce Éireann said the oil was intercepted at an early stage, preventing it from reaching the lake or river. Cllr Michael O’Meara said the reason for the spillage is still not known.