A NORTHSIDE TD said it’s vitally important that the outfall from the proposed wastewater treatment plant in Clonshaugh does not negatively impact the waters off the north Dublin coast.
Dublin Bay North TD Terence Flanagan (RENUA) made the call after Greater Dublin Drainage (GDD) was granted a Foreshore Licence by the Department of the Environment to undertake investigative marine surveys off the coastline.
The licence was granted to GDD following a statutory public consultation process that concluded earlier this year.
The surveys are being undertaken as part of the preparation of a planning application for the GDD project.
Deputy Flanagan said:
“I am happy that the Department (of the Environment) has granted a licence to Greater Dublin Drainage so that important investigative surveys can be carried out off the coast of Baldoyle.
“These surveys will enable Greater Dublin Drainage to develop a plan that does not have an adverse effect on the marine environment and our beautiful beaches,
? he said.
A marine ground investigation is being undertaken in order to inform the preparation of the construction method for the marine outfall pipeline.
This survey, which will assess the composition of the seabed, involves using a jack-up platform in order to make a number of boreholes along the proposed marine outfall pipeline route.
The platform, which will be in place for a four-week period has been visible from the north Dublin coastline since mid-July.
A notice to mariners was issued to ensure that other water users were aware of the survey.
A number of other surveys are scheduled to take place over the next six months including an underwater noise survey, reef habitat mapping, and an archaeological survey.
The results of the surveys will feed into the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which is being produced as part of the planning application for the GDD project.
Greater Dublin Drainage recently hosted a number of information events in Howth, Baldoyle and Portmarnock where members of the public were encouraged to ask questions about the project.
Greater Dublin Drainage is the development of a new regional wastewater treatment facility for the greater Dublin region.
The project involves a new wastewater treatment plant located at Clonshaugh; an underground orbital sewer and two pumping stations; and an outfall pipeline discharging treated wastewater 1km north east of Ireland’s Eye.
However the project has caused huge controversy since it was first mooted, not least among residents in Clonshaugh and surrounding areas.
The site for the plant, which will have a total area of 56 acres, is just 800 metres from the residential areas of Belcamp and Darndale.
GDD spokesperson Peter O’Reilly said the project is a vital part of Irish Water’s investment programme to provide the appropriate wastewater treatment infrastructure needed to meet future demand in the capital region.
“Conducting these necessary environmental surveys will help to ensure that the GDD project is developed in a way that safeguards the quality of the marine environment, our beaches and our bathing waters,
? said Mr O’Reilly.
For further information on the marine surveys, visit www.greaterdublindrainage.ie