O’ Connell: Raw sewage around our coastal villages is unacceptable

A local Sinn Féin election candidate has called for the immediate allocation of funding for new treatment plants after emerged that raw sewage is being pumped into the sea at Arthurstown, Ballyhack, Duncannon and Kilmore Quay.  Oisin O’ Connell welcomed the report from the EPA, which is highly critical of the situation, and has called on the County Council and New Ross Town Council to put their weight behind the EPAs call for the government to eliminate environmental issues in relation to sewage.

Mr O’ Connell said;

“Arthurstown, Duncannon, Ballyhack and Kilmore Quay have no treatment plants for waste water.  This means that raw sewage is being pumped into the sea around four populated and popular tourist destinations in South Wexford.  To say that this is unacceptable would be an obvious understatement.”

“In Campile and Fethard, only primary treatment is available meaning that partly treated sewage is being released into the sea and rivers around these villages.  The knock on effects for public health, the environment, agriculture and the local tourist industry from this could be devastating.”

“Sinn Féin is calling on the government to release immediate funding for a major new, EPA endorsed project to construct secondary treatment plants in areas where they are needed.  I would ask that Wexford County Council and New Ross Town Council put their weight behind this and push for these facilities.”