Works progress on the Gweedore Sewage Scheme

Tá ríméad ar Uisce Éireann i dteannta lena chomhpháirtí Údaráis Áitiúil, Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall, a fhógairt go bhfuil Tionscadal nuálach Taispeántais mar chuid de Scéim Séarachais Ghaoth Dobhair le tosú arís. Leis an tionscadal sin réiteofar fadhb na cóireála séarachais easpaigh i nGaoth Dobhair, a ró-spleáchas ar úsáid na gcóras do dhabhcha séarachais agus cuirfear feabhas ar cháilíocht an uisce i mBá Ghaoth Dobhair. Soláthróidh an tionscadal tairbhí comhshaoil, tacóidh sé le fás amach anseo sa cheantar agus cinnteoidh sé go gcomhlíonfar an Treoir maidir le Cóireáil Fuíolluisce Uirbigh.

Ag labhairt dó faoi na hoibreacha, mhínigh Patrick Green as Uisce Éireann: "In 2019, d'éirigh le hUisce Éireann suiteáil an líonra brúphíobán séaraigh a bhaineann leis an tionscadal seo a chur i gcrích. Faoi choinne sin b'éigean thart ar 2.5 km de líonra úr fuíolluisce a shuiteáil feadh Bhóthar na Monarcha, an Bhóthair Íochtaraigh agus an bhóthair ceangail a nascann an dá cheann. Anois táimid réidh le tabhairt faoin gcéad chéim eile sa tionscadal, arb é sin cochall a shuiteáil ag 40 réadmhaoin. Déanfar an fuíolluisce a bhaileofar a chóireáil ansin ag ionad cóireála fuíolluisce reatha Údarás na Gaeltachta."

Bainfidh tairbhí forleathana leis an tionscadal seo don phobal i gcoitinne. Ag labhairt dó faoi na tionchair dhearfach sin, dúirt Patrick: "Beidh laghdú ar an spleáchas ar dhabhcha séarachais sa cheantar mar thoradh ar deireadh ar an scéim séarachais nuálach úr seo. Laghdóidh sé sin scaoileadh fuíolluisce neamhchóireáilte sa timpeallacht tríd an gcóireáil fuíolluisce a fheabhsú. Rachaidh sé sin chun tairbhe na ndaoine a bhfuil cónaí orthu ansin agus ar chuairteoirí chuig an gceantar agus beidh tionchar dearfach suntasach aige ar cháilíocht an uisce i mBá Ghaoth Dobhair agus cuirfear feabhas ar cháilíocht an uisce do snámhaithe, do shurfálaithe agus d'iascairí."

Táthar ag súil go gcuirfear tús le hoibreacha i Meitheamh 2021 agus déanfar teagmháil ina n-aonar leo siúd a bheith páirteach sa scéim sula gcuirfear tús leis na hoibreacha. Tá an obair á soláthar ag Cleantech Civils thar ceann Uisce Éireann.

Tá an tionscadal seo ina chuid de phlean infheistíochta Uisce Éireann i gcás gur tugadh tús áite d'oibreacha a dhíreofar ar na ceisteanna is tábhachtaí i gcomhréir leis na tiomantais atá leagtha amach i bplean gnó Uisce Éireann. Beidh infheistíocht €5.5 billiún i gcaiteachas caipitil i gceist le soláthar an phlean gnó ar uisce óil agus ar cháilíocht agus acmhainn an fhuíolluisce agus bonneagar úr suas go dtí deireadh 2021.

Leanann Uisce Éireann ag obair ag an am seo lenár gcomhpháirtithe san Údarás Áitiúil, conraitheoirí agus daoine eile chun sláinte agus folláine na mball foirne agus an phobail a chosaint chun leanúnachas seirbhísí ríthábhachtacha uisce óil agus fuíolluisce a chinntiú. Ba mhaith le hUisce Éireann a mheabhrú do dhaoine cloí le comhairle COVID-19 an FSS agus a chinntiú go nífidh siad a gcuid lámh go minic.

Uisce Éireann along with its Local Authority partner Donegal County Council, is delighted to announce that the innovative Demonstration Project as part of the Gweedore Sewerage Scheme is set to recommence. This project will solve the problem of inadequate sewage treatment in Gweedore, its over reliance on the use of septic tank systems and will improve water quality in Gweedore Bay. The project will provide environmental benefits, support future growth in the area and ensure compliance with Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

Speaking about the works, Uisce Éireann's Patrick Greene explained: "In 2019 Uisce Éireann successfully completed the installation of the pressure sewer network associated with this project. This required the installation of approximately 2.5km of new wastewater network along Factory Road, the Lower Road and the link road connecting both. Now we are ready to undertake the next step in the project, which is the installation of pods at 40 properties. The collected wastewater will then be treated at the existing Údaras na Gaeltachta wastewater treatment plant."

The benefits of this project to the wider community will be far reaching. Speaking about these positive impacts Patrick said: "This innovative new sewerage scheme will ultimately lead to a reduction on the reliance of septic tanks in the area. This will decrease the discharge of untreated wastewater to the environment by enhancing the treatment of wastewater. This will benefit all those living and visiting the area and will have a significant positive impact on water quality in Gweedore Bay and improve water quality for swimmers, surfers and fishermen."

Works are expected to commence in June 2021 and those participating in the scheme will be contacted individually prior to works commencing. Cleantech Civils is delivering the work on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

This project forms part of Uisce Éireann's investment plan where works have been prioritised to address the most critical issues in line with commitments outlined in Uisce Éireann's business plan. Delivery of the business plan will involve a €5.5bn investment in capital spending on drinking water and wastewater quality and capacity and new infrastructure up to the end of 2021.

Uisce Éireann continues to work at this time with our Local Authority partners, contractors and others to safeguard the health and well-being of both staff and the public and to ensure the continuity of critical drinking water and wastewater services. Uisce Éireann would like to remind people to follow the HSE COVID-19 advice and ensure frequent handwashing.