The Environment Minister has revealed details of a plan that has been put in place after the reporting of an odour in Shannon.
Concern was raised about the effect the odour would have on peoples’ health after it was first reported in September, and the matter has been addressed in the Dail following a question from Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley.
The Environmental Protection Agency launched an investigation around six weeks ago, after the smell was first reported by concerned residents.
The EPA subsequently determined that the source of the odour was the sewer network in Shannon, though Clare County Council insisted it’s Sewerage Plant at Tradaree Point was operating as normal.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan has told the Dail that the Council and the EPA, with the assistance of the HSE, have now put in plan for further monitoring and investigation.
This includes a review of the town’s wastewater treatment plant and sewer network, ongoing odour surveillance, and the maintenance of a datebase of complaints.
Air quality will be monitored for hydrogen sulphide, which has a characteristic rotten egg smell while the HSE will also monitor any unusual patterns of illness.
Minister Hogan has also said that all measured pollutant levels since March of 2012 have fallen within EU guidelines.
