After a wait of nearly 15 years it seems that work on a new sewerage scheme for Clifden will finally be a reality with work set to begin early next year.
This picturesque corner of Connemara has been campaigning for the new sewerage system since 1996 when the Clifden Regeneration Strategy was published. Since then, the provision of this vital wastewater infrastructure has suffered from countless delays and this has resulted in a number of problems in the area. Clifden Beach lost its prestigious Blue Flag status due to the quality, sanitary, and safety standards of the bathing waters in this area failing to meet minimum EU standards over the last few years and the tourist spot has suffered negative publicity from the annual Envionmental Protection Agency’s water quality results.
“Every year when the EPA results were announced Clifden hit the headlines for the poor quality of the bathing water which had detrimental impact on tourism,” said local county councillor Eileen Mannion who earlier this year welcomed the announcement by Minister of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, that a total of €7 million has been assigned to the Clifden sewerage scheme.
The project consists of two contracts, one for the construction of the wastewater treatment plant and the other for the collection network. Cllr Mannion said that Galway County Council is progressing with the project and work is expected to start early in 2012.
Cllr Mannion added that in the meantime the council and Ryan Hanley (consulting engineers ) are consulting closely with Connemara Chamber of Commerce in planning ahead to minimise disruption during the laying of the new sewerage network in the town next year.
