The equivalent of more than 1,900 wheelie bins of raw sewage is flowing directly into two local bays in Connemara each day, but this is set to cease under the provision of new wastewater infrastructure in the area.
Fianna Fáil Galway West TD, John Connolly, has welcomed confirmation from Uisce Éireann that the vital wastewater treatment works for An Cheathru Rua and Roundstone are to be developed.
“The equivalent of more than 1,900 wheelie bins of raw sewage going directly into bays of one of the most beautiful parts of, not only Galway, but of Ireland, is alarming,” said Dep Connolly.
“As such, I am relieved and delighted that Uisce Éireann is taking this matter seriously and pressing ahead with the development of these much-needed treatment plants. I will continue to work with Uisce Éireann to ensure expediency on both these projects.”
Uisce Éireann is currently conducting a new site selection process to find a suitable location for the treatment of sewage from An Cheathrú Rua.
The existing wastewater network was constructed in the 1950s and upgraded in 2007. Wastewater is collected in the public sewer system and discharged with no treatment into Casla Bay at Sruffaun Pier.
As a result, the equivalent of 1,300 wheelie bins of untreated wastewater goes directly into Casla Bay each day, according to Uisce Éireann.
Dep Connolly was also informed by Uisce Éireann that it is “committed to delivering new wastewater treatment infrastructure for Roundstone” and is undertaking a selection process to identify a new site for the proposed plant.
The body added that it also “regrets” the “significant delays on the project incurred due to legal challenges on the Roundstone Sewerage Scheme Compulsory Purchase Order (2019 ).”
The existing wastewater network was originally constructed using clay pipes in the 1920s, with wastewater collected in the existing system and discharged with no treatment in three separate locations into Roundstone Bay.
Uisce Éireann told Dep Connolly that this represents the equivalent of 645 wheelie bins of untreated wastewater being discharged directly into the bay daily.
Dep Connolly was also informed by Uisce Éireann that it will host briefing sessions in early 2026 in both An Cheathru Rua and Roundstone to update local representatives, stakeholders and members of the public on the project and to seek feedback on the site selection processes.
