For this Council to examine measures to tackle the problem of raw sewage entering the River Shannon in the Town, particularly where the raw sewage can be clearly and freely observed by the public.We all know we have a problem with our drainage and sewage infrastructure in this town. The long overdue main drainage scheme which would have dealt with this problem and others now seems to be firmly ‘on hold’ for the short to medium term. This leaves us with a range of water and sewage problems, problems that have dogged this town and this Council for years and will continue to dog us until something is done. 

 

It is wholly unacceptable in this day and age to have raw untreated human sewage floating on the surface of this towns greatest asset, right in the centre of this town. Not only that, but at various points along the rivers edge large pockets of sewage rests like a blanket on the surface of the water. Apart from the obvious serious health & safety risk that this must pose, it is utterly shameful that this Council should let this happen. It looks and smells disgusting. What we are effectively telling people is that we have no regard what so ever for our town, our river our people or those who visit here.

 

There must be more than just one solution to this problem, I urge this Council to re-examine in its entirety; the reasons why and the locations where this problem exists. There must be ways to avoid what we see in our river, there must be ways to tackle this problem – I don’t see this problem in the river Corrib in Galway or in the Carrowbeg River in Westport or the River Nore in Kilkenny. Its time we stopped saying there is nothing we can do and come up with alternatives to the plan that is on hold.

 

I propose this Council commences a new process to re-examine this issue from start to finish with a view to coming up with new workable and affordable options to tackle this problem.