Plan to end discharge of sewage off Rush coast is progressing

IRISH Water is progressing a €9.7 million investment in the Rush Wastewater Collection Network Scheme which will end the practice of raw sewage being discharged into the sea.

Local beaches in the North County Dublin town have been closed to swimming due to the high levels of pollution in the water.

According to a statement released by the company, the investment will significantly improve the bathing water quality at South Beach in Rush, benefiting locals, tourists and visitors to the area.

Earlier this week, Irish Water published confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the necessary land at South Shore, Palmer Road, Farran’s Lane, Skerries Road, Whitestown Road and Tower Street in Rush.

This will facilitate the construction of the new infrastructure to collect and transfer wastewater from existing outfalls and overflows to the foreshore and onwards to the new wastewater treatment plant at Portrane.

A contract to begin the project in Rush, which involves constructing extensive pipelines and new pumping stations, is expected to be awarded in the coming weeks. Construction on the project is expected to take two years to complete.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Tinsley, Asset Programmes Manager at Irish Water, said: “Irish Water is committed to investing in the wastewater treatment infrastructure at South Beach to provide a cleaner environment for Rush and the wider community.

“The granting of the Compulsory Purchase Order will enable us to continue to progress this priority project.  It is vital that the discharging of raw sewage directly into the environment is eliminated and this €9.7million investment in the wastewater treatment infrastructure will address the issue at South Beach.”