Clare County Council has admitted that raw sewage is still being pumped into the Atlantic Ocean at Kilkee, five years after it was to be brought into compliance with the EU wastewater directive.
The outfall, located in the cliffs at Intrinsic Bay discharges a mix of foul and surface water from Kilkee, which has no sewage treatment system.
It’s located within a mile of the nearest swimming area at Moore Bay
Senior Engineer with the local authority Sean Ward has defended the situation in Kilkee, saying that it has no affect on water quality
He’s told today’s Irish Times that tests carried out under Bathing Water Regulations showed it complied with statutory requirements.
A preliminary report for Kilkee’s sewage system, incorporating a network upgrade and secondary treatment, was submitted to the Department of the Environment in June 2005 but has yet to receive final approval.
When this is received, it’s anticipated that the project will be included in the Council’s Water Services Investment Programme for 2010-12.
