Concerns have been raised over long term plans for water quality at Ballyloughane following the Environmental Protection Agency report on the water quality of Galway's city rivers and water networks.
The report was discussed at last Monday's Galway City Council meeting, after which Fianna Fáil Galway City East councillor, Alan Cheevers, accused City Hall of only carrying out "purely cosmetic and peripheral" works at Ballyloughane.
"I'm not really interested in reading a report of the works that have been done in Ballyloughane since 2014, 2004, 1994 or previous to that either," he said. "Such reports are allowing the impression to exist that the council is tackling the big issue in Ballyloughane - a Blue Flag highlighting it is safe to swim. I want a report on what it will take to bring this to fruition."
'Tackle the issues in An Taisce report
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Fianna Fáil councillor, Alan Cheevers.
At that meeting, a 250 page report by An Taisce, which alleged significant under-reporting of discharges of untreated wastewater, was discussed, and the issue of Ballyloughane beach was raised. The report was criticised by Brendan McGrath, chief executive of the Galway City Council, while City Hall's senior planner, Carmel Kilcoyne., said the report contained "a number of inaccuracies".
However, Cllr Cheevers said council officials should either "tackle the issues" in the An Taisce report or "continue to tolerate sub-standard bathing water in Ballyloughane".
He has called on City Hall to connect the storm water pipework north and south of the main foul water pipe on the Dublin Road, for onward treatment at the Mutton Island Wastewater Treatment Plant; and either increase the capacity of Mutton Island or build a new wastewater treatment plant on the east side of the city.
