Arklow's Lack of Sewage Treatment is a Scandal

They are not alone in their intransigence. During the 1980's and 1990's, while towns and cities around the developed world were initiating recycling and other sustainable waste management programmes, Wicklow County Council remained uncompromisingly committed to landfill in general and to Ballynagran in particular. They refused to consider alternatives, and the result is that the county now has no public waste disposal service -while continuing to have NO doorstep recycling collection or other sustainable measures.

Arklow UDC seem to be following a similar strategy in relation to the sewage treatment plant. The result, of course, is that Arklow's sewage is still dumped untreated into the river. Worse still, this situation could continue for years.

The objectors have every right to question this project, both legally and morally. The reason that they have been so successful is that their objections are valid. The proprietors of the Caravan Park, for example, are faced with the loss their livelihood without compensation should the scheme go ahead as planned (never mind the loss to the town of thousands of seasonal residents who contribute millions of pounds to the local economy every year). Who would not object when faced with such a situation? Others have serious (and well-researched) concerns about the environmental impact of the project on what is the sole surviving unspoiled beach of this 'seaside resort'.

Instead of useless posturing, will Arklow UDC not face the real issues? Why was the IFI site (the waste ground between the bypass and the IFI factory) not considered when the original decision was made? If a bypass can be built there, why can't a sewage treatment plant? Why was a secondary treatment plant chosen over more modern tertiary treatment? If extra money is required for an altered plan, can this not be covered by European or central funds? What can be done to help release such funds? More generally, why can't there be mature discussion based on fact and on the genuine issues involved?

As objectors to the proposed Eastern Health Board methadone treatment centre will agree, the days of imposing policy without consultation and consensus are over. Real discussion can only be more effective than empty rhetoric and deliberately divisive posturing which serves only to boost the egos of a few and which has done absolutely nothing to bring a sewage treatment plant to the town. Surely the people of Arklow deserve better than this.

WicklowToday Survey Should the sewage treatment plant be built at Seabank? Yes No Don't Know View result without voting