Urgent solution sought for sewage overflow at St Anne’s

A LOCAL TD is seeking an urgent solution to a sewage overflow into a river in a well-known Northside park.

Dublin Bay North TD Seán Haughey (FF) said he hopes the sewage overflow into the Naniken river in St Anne’s Park will be resolved swiftly. 

Irish Water and Dublin City Council are investigating the cause of the overflow which they suspect is being caused by a blockage under the river. 

It will be necessary to empty an underground sewage tank, so crews can access the blockage and be able to remove it. 

Signs have been erected in the park by Dublin City Council informing the public of the sewage overflow.

Deputy Haughey said: “I welcome the work done so far by Irish Water and Dublin City Council in resolving this issue and the safety of the crews doing these works is key. 

“St Anne’s Park is the green lung of the Northside and it is regrettable that an incident with such a negative environmental impact has happened. 

“I’d urge locals to stay safe and not to let their children or dogs near the river or pond in St Anne’s Park until this issue is resolved. 

“I hope the problem can be identified and solved as soon as possible so people can enjoy every part of St Anne’s Park again.”

Irish Water said this incident was a reminder to the public not to flush items such as wet wipes and cotton buds down the toilet. 

Irish Water said putting fats, oils and greases down the kitchen sink also causes blockages and overflows which impact the environment. 

Irish Water has promoted the ‘Think Before You Flush’ public awareness campaign with the aim of protecting sewer networks and wastewater treatment plants.

In a statement to Northside People, Dublin City Council said: “On Friday, February 28, the Water Pollution Control (WPC) received a pollution incident report from a member of the public.  

“This report subsequently confirmed that sewerage had been discharging into the Naniken River in St Anne’s Park, Raheny.  

“This incident has been reported to the Environmental Protection Agency and Irish Water. “WPC has blocked the Naniken River from supplying the Pond waters in St Anne’s Park (sandbags). No wildlife kill has been identified (fish or bird). The issue is still being resolved on site.”