A fatberg formed in a sewer comprising wet wipes and fats, oils and greases (FOGs)

Appeal to businesses to dispose of trade effluent correctly

'Fatbergs' causing damage to waterwater networks and the environment

The discovery of a 'fatberg' in the public wastewater network in Bailieborough has prompted Irish Water to appeal directly to Cavan businesses to be more responsible in the way they dispose of trade effluent.

They are being asked to be aware of the impact that large volumes of trade effluent can have on public wastewater networks, plants and on the environment.

The large fatberg, which had to be removed.

Trade Effluent is any liquid waste (other than domestic wastewater and storm water) that is discharged from a business premises to the public sewer. The improper disposal of large quantities of trade effluent puts significant pressure on Irish Water’s infrastructure leading to operational issues with wastewater networks and wastewater treatment plants. Large quantities of trade effluent that go untreated can ultimately make its way into the receiving waters and can have a major impact on the local environment.

Speaking about the issue, Irish Water’s Wastewater Operations lead, Kevin Smith said:

“Irish Water is committed to safeguarding the local environment and returning wastewater safely to the environment. In Cavan there is varying capacity in our sewers and wastewater treatment plants. This means we must carefully assess and regulate all discharges to our sewer/wastewater network in order to ensure that public health, our operations and the environment are fully protected.

“During the spring and summer months, we have started to experience a significant strain on the wastewater infrastructure due to large volumes of trade effluent being disposed of incorrectly into our networks."

Mr Smith said that this year the Bailieborough Wastewater Treatment Plant was impacted by a large volume of trade effluent that required treatment, resulting in "significant operational difficulties for our staff and the plant".

There were similar issues across the country and it can prove both "challenging and costly" to avoid the plants having to discharge partially treated effluent into the environment.

“We are asking everyone associated with the business industry in Bailieborough to be very conscious of the impact this can have on wastewater networks and treatment plants and would ask that they dispose of trade effluent and other products correctly," implored Mr Smith.

Irish Water is committed to keeping customers informed about their water and wastewater supplies across multiple platforms 24/7. Customers can engage with Irish Water on its Twitter channels @IWCare and @IrishWater, on Facebook and LinkedIn, and through its customer care helpline, which is open 24/7 on 1800-278-278.