THE head engineer working on the controversial sewage project in north county Dublin insists that one large plant would cause less environmental damage than several smaller ones.
However, one of the lobby groups set up to fight the proposal has rejected the engineer’s views.
Project engineer for Greater Dublin Drainage, Peter O’Reilly, told members of Fingal County Council his views at a meeting last week.
“Both the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study (GDSDS) in 2005 and the Strategic Environment Assessment in 2008 confirm that the local rivers and streams in north Dublin are too small to be able to absorb treated water from a number of smaller plants,
? Mr O’Reilly stated.
However, Lorcan O’Toole, a spokesperson for Lusk Waste Watch, argued that the treated water might only be harmful to the environment
“if they continue to treat sewerage with the same outdated 19th century technology
?.
“Most other countries use more up-to-date technology to treat waste so that the treated water is less harmful,
? Mr O’Toole told Northside People.
“For some reason Fingal County Council and those working on the project have got their heads locked into the idea that this is going to be another Ringsend but it doesn’t have to be.
?
However, when the proposal was first made public, Mr O’Reilly pointed out that the plant would be approximately quarter the size of the Ringsend plant.
It is now widely believed that Lusk will shortlisted as a suitable site for the plant.
Mr O’Toole said Lusk Waste Watch was remaining steadfast on the opinion that it would be a
“travesty
? to build an industrial site of this nature in their area.
The group has vowed to step up its campaign in the run up to the announcement of the shortlisted sites.
Lusk Waste Watch had a float in the local St Patrick’s Day parade in an effort to remind people that the sewerage plant issue hasn’t gone away.
“The float was done in a somewhat light-hearted way because we need the public to be conscious and we need their support because this will happen,
? added Mr O’Toole.
“This plan is like a train coming down the tracks and it has to be derailed.
?
This week, the group will be putting up posters in the general Lusk area as the campaign intensifies.
The new infrastructure is needed to provide sustainable and reliable drainage and wastewater treatment for the Greater Dublin Area to meet current and future economic, industrial and residential demands.
The new plant will cater for wastewater for an estimated 700,000 people.
Meanwhile, according to Mr O’Reilly, technical consultants are still considering the 10,000 submissions received from the public consultation phase.
It’s expected that a shortlist of site locations will be revealed in the coming months.
“The consultants are working to narrow the search from the nine large land parcels already identified last year, to as few as three specific emerging preferred sites by this summer,
? said Mr O’Reilly.
“Extensive further studies will then be required on those shortlisted sites.
?
There will be further non-statutory consultation with local people and all other interested stakeholders on each of the shortlisted sites before one preferred site is selected towards the end of the year.
After the site is chosen planning approval will be sought from An Bord Pleanála.
“The Bord will carry out its own statutory public consultation at that stage so there are opportunities for people to be involved in the process all the way through before the final decision is made by the independent Bord,
? added Mr O’Reilly.