Councillors to press Irish Water on plant upgrades

Councillors are seeking an update regarding upgrade works at the Ballinagh Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Fine Gael Councillor Winston Bennett led the charge at a recent meeting of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District Authority. He stated: “Unfortunately there was a big round up in The Anglo-Celt” regarding the “lack of water in the river”.

He explained this issue arises from the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which requires updating, the discharge from which has caused fish kills in the river.

Cllr Bennett continued to say “new houses are coming” and the need for the upgrade to service them has become more important than ever as a result.

In response, the executive engineer explained that Irish Water is due to host a meeting regarding a survey of design options. Following this, a feasibility study is set to take place. Independent councillor Shane P O’Reilly revealed that representatives from Irish Water will attend a full Council meeting in the New Year to speak about an issue regarding sewerage on the Moynalty road out of Mullagh. He suggested it would be a good opportunity to request an update on progress in Ballinagh.

“I suggest, if they’re coming, we get our queries ready.”

Fine Gael’s T.P. O’Reilly joined the debate, stating he was “delighted” the Virginia plan had its planning permission approved.

“Here in Virginia we have got a lot of stick over the past five years about the pollution in Lough Ramor,” he remarked.

He found the planning process very long due to various studies that needed to take place prior to approval.

“It’s not something that you can go into SuperValu and pick up off the shelf,” remarked Cllr T.P. O’Reilly.

Work on the Virginia upgrade is due to begin in March 2024 and he thanked Mr McGahern and the staff in Cavan County Council for all their work on the project.

Chiming in, Cllr S.P. O’Reilly stated he was hearing about the issues with the Virginia Wastewater Treatment Plant for almost 10 years.

“Hopefully March will happen,” he said, to which Cllr T.P. O’Reilly responded “it will progress”.

He continued to say the old plant was “completely outdated” and the “river and lake were suffering”.

There was also a “delay on houses being built” as a result, remarked Cllr S.P. O’Reilly.