Decision awaited on foreshore licence for west Mayo sewerage scheme

AN update on the Newport sewerage plant upgrade has been issued by Uisce Éireann.

The company is advancing the upgrade of a wastewater treatment plant for Newport and is currently awaiting a decision on a foreshore licence applied for, as well as preparing documentation for a MARA application.

'A licence is required to carry out the marine surveys to gather the necessary information before we can move to design stage. Once those surveys are carried out, we will be moving to design stage,' a statement from Uisce Éireann explained.

Councillor Brendan Mulroy requested an update on the scheme at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, unhappy that raw sewage continues to flow into Clew Bay.

The people of Newport, he said, need a solution.

Not for the first time, he proposed they start fining the utility on a daily basis for polluting the bay. However, he was told the council couldn't do that.

Councillor Johnny O'Malley said raw sewage has been going into the bay since 1965.

A local man who operates a boat has to go out about two miles to get past the sewage, and it was embarrassing for him having to explain this, said the councillor.

“That isn't good enough.”

The councillors were told water quality in the bay is tested and it is coming in well.