A collection of videos from Irish Water is set to be released showcasing the benefits and progress being made to eliminate raw sewage discharged into waterways across the country.

The first video will be available tomorrow, Tuesday 19 October, focusing on Wexford.

A new wastewater treatment plant is being built in Arthurstown that will cater for Arthurstown, Duncannon and Ballyhack. This will solve the issue of poorly treated sewage in the area, which was being discharged into the sea.

Lorraine Waters, Manager of the Hook Lighthouse and Heritage Centre, said: "There are 19 local beaches in a ten-mile radius here. It's absolutely incredible. And that's why, you know, why we were so excited when we heard that this new wastewater treatment plant was in the pipeline and that would ensure that, as we’re advertising our area that we know that we are giving that quality of water. At the end of the day, its why people are coming down here, that wide open space. It's that beautiful clear water."

-- Advertisement --

Caroline Helfer of Hooked Kitesurfing added: "I think it's a great thing they are doing and its important, especially for such a small country that’s very very much focused on water activity and surrounded by it [water]. Water quality is very important for everybody. Our kiting lessons are in the water, so our students end up properly fully submerged in the water, so when there’s a problem, we have to warn the students that there is a health risk attached to them doing the activity at the time. If there was a Blue Flag beach here, it would bring in additional tourism activity. It would probably bring in additional businesses to the area. From a revenue point of view, tourism itself, for the economy, it would make a huge impact."

The new wastewater treatment plant will have the capacity to cater for a population equivalent of nearly 2,000 people and will protect the integrity of the environment.

A contract is also set to be signed in the coming weeks for a Wastewater Treatment Plant at Kilmore Quay with works set to begin in early 2022. That project is due for completion in 2023.

Across the bay in Dunmore East and all along the Waterford coastline, the practice of discharging raw sewage into the waterways has been eliminated since 2017. The investment of €24 million there delivered seven new wastewater treatment plants in towns and villages across Co Waterford including Ardmore, Ballyduff/Kilmeadan, Cappoquin, Dunmore East, Kilmacthomas, Stradbally and Tallow.