Sewage blowing manhole cover in Kiltimagh system
SEWAGE is blowing a manhole cover in a field behind the secondary school in Kiltimagh, and spilling out onto the land.
The issue was raised at a local area meeting today in the context of a planning application for 21 new houses at Cloonkeadagh Road in the town.
A number of local residents have raised concerns with Mayo County Council about surface water drainage, footpaths, overlooking of property, and the sewerage system. The council has been engaging with residents and councillors on the matter.
The proposal is to build 21 housing units – eight two-bed houses, seven three-bed houses, and six two-bed apartments.
Currently there are 81 applicants on the housing list in Kiltimagh.
A decision on planning approval was adjourned by councillors, with Councillor Neil Cruise saying the sewerage issue needs to be sorted out before they add to the system.
The manhole in question is in a field at the back of the site and behind St. Louis Community School and the line from it to the treatment plant does not have sufficient capacity, he said.
It is a health problem and a disgusting problem. 'Third World stuff' is how he described the situation.
The capacity issue will have to be addressed by Irish Water, he added.
Councillor Michael Smyth said existing homes should be serviced by the public sewer. “I would like to see that the community in Cloonkeadagh would benefit from this project,” he said.
He raised issues with a storm drain and also impact on an adjoining property, asking that one unit be removed from the plan before them.
The residents were committed to seeing effective development in their area and they wanted it to be the best it can be, he said.
Councillor John Caulfield said changes had been carried out to the plan but there are still issues.
In response, councillors were told Irish Water would not allow a connection into a system which is overloaded.
Adjourning the part 8 planning applications, officials were asked that the capacity issue be addressed with Irish Water.