Locals concerned by plans for wastewater plant in Ireland

A hearing in Ireland has been told that if a wastewater plant were built in Clew Bay it would pollute the waters and be a detriment to the lives of local shellfish farmers.

The oral hearing, held by An Bord Pleanala and chaired by inspector Daniel O’Conner, was set up to investigate Mayo County Council’s proposal to install a sludge hub centre, and a temporary sludge drier at Derrinumera landfill site near Newport. The plans also include a leachate treatment plant, to treat the toxic liquid produced when water filters through the landfill waste at the plant.

If the wastewater centre is approved, it would treat the residual semi-solid material left from both water treatment and wastewater treatment across the county.

Local residents, however, are concerned that the centre would pollute nearby rivers and lakes.

Wastewater materials are currently removed by licensed contractors and used on agricultural land. Mayo County Council say that a treatment facility is now needed for the area.