CONCERNS over public health and safety have been raised after sewage was left pouring onto the main road in Falcarragh.
The issue in the Ballina area of the west Donegal town was first reported on Saturday, and as of this morning, crews from Uisce Éireann had still not responded, today’s meeting of the Glenties Municipal District heard.
It is understood that the utility provider responsible for water and wastewater services was awaiting the arrival of a lorry to clear the blockage, which could be as late as tomorrow morning.
At this afternoon’s meeting local councillors joined together in sharing their concerns regarding the ongoing issue and the damage it has also caused to the road.
They spoke of the strong smell, worsened by the heat, which had severely impacted local businesses and residents.
Cllr Denis McGee raised health and safety concerns, particularly regarding children playing in the affected area.
Cllr Michael McClafferty heavily criticised Uisce Éireann, saying “they’re not listening to us.”
He told the chamber how he was continuously in contact with them throughout the bank holiday weekend yet had not gotten any further.
He claimed the slow response from the provider is due to their reluctance to pay overtime to employees.
The independent councillor said, as a result, issues reported over the weekend aren’t dealt with until Monday morning – or this morning in this case, as it was a bank holiday.
Once the issue is resolved Cllr McClafferty said he expects a full clean-up and disinfection operation to take place to eliminate any public health implications.
Falcarragh currently lacks a proper sewage treatment plant, with untreated waste being directly discharged into Ballyness Bay.
A new wastewater treatment plant is planned, but construction is not expected until 2028.
The Donegal News contacted Uisce Éireann for comment.