Cadogan – north, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.
Down Cllr Cadogan Enright has rejected plans for a pipeline to discharge sewerage into the sea at Ardglass as ‘mindless pollution’. The Councillor was responding to a request from EHS for comments on the planned discharge, which came before the Council recently.
At a recent meeting of the Council, Cllr Enright opposed any discharge location given the imminent construction of a Waste Water Treatment Works for the Ardglass area. “It seems crazy to build another pipeline to discharge raw sewerage into the Irish Sea when a proper treatment works is to be built in Ardglass next year and which will service through Chapeltown”, he said.
“The Ardglass area has suffered as a result of not having adequate sewerage treatment facilities, with water pollution resulting from the effluent being pumped into the sea at Ardtole. Now that we are having a new Waste Water Treatment Works constructed there is absolutely no need to continue with this mindless pollution.”
The proposed discharge point, adjacent to the Strangford Road in Chapeltown, is close to Saint Patrick’s Well, a centre of pilgrimage and is also on the route of tourist walks, including the Ulster Way and the Lecale Way.
“Furthermore”, continued Cllr Enright, “this site is within an Area of Special Scientific Interest and marine reserve. As such, any discharge of this nature should be banned. The sewerage would also have a detrimental effect on the local crab fishermen who would lose valuable stock if this pollution was ongoing.”
Cllr Enright raised the issue at the meeting of the Council and was supported in his objections by his fellow Councillors. This resulted in the application being deferred by Council.
“It is vital that we stop pumping raw sewerage into our waterways and seas, and Ballyhornan to the North of here and Ardglass to the South of here have suffered with this problem for years. The Council must take a stand against any such plans as a matter of principle to protect the health of all of the people living in Down District.”
Press Cuttings: sewage pipeline ardglass, Sewage Ardglass