Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell has welcomed confirmation that Irish Water will proceed with investment in infrastructure to benefit Rush, Skerries, Loughshinny, Malahide and Portmarnock.
“I am pleased that Irish Water has confirmed they will proceed with a €5.1 million investment in the provision of a new wastewater pumping station at Rush Road in Skerries. This pumping station will have the capacity to serve the needs of over 14,000 people in the local community. It will also allow for future development in Loughshinny, Skerries, and in the Kelly’s Bay area. The aim of this investment is to increase the capacity of the wastewater network currently serving the area, while also reducing the overflows into the sea during times of heavy rain. Work on this new pumping station is due to start in March 2017, and should be completed within 18 months.
“Furthermore, Irish Water have informed me that they are investing a further €9.7 million in the upgrading of wastewater infrastructure to serve Rush and its environs. It is expected that this project will be completed by 2018, and will completely stop the discharge of untreated waste from Rush into the Irish Sea.
“In addition to this, Irish Water are progressing with the upgrading of the Malahide Water Supply Scheme, with the investment of €2 million. This funding will provide for the construction of a new reservoir to the north of Seamount Heights. It will provide the necessary levels of additional water storage to serve the needs of the local community in Malahide and Portmarnock. This investment is of the utmost importance given that the existing reservoir has been supplying the local area since 1971, and does not have the adequate capacity to cater for the significant population growth Malahide and Portmarnock have experienced. Construction is due to begin next year, and should be completed within 12 months.
“I recently raised the issue of water quality in the North County, and the need for investment in our local wastewater infrastructure, in Dáil Éireann. With a growing population in Dublin Fingal, continued investment in this infrastructure is vital. While I am pleased with the confirmation of this investment by Irish Water, I will actively engage with Minister Coveney and his Department to prevent any delays in the delivery of this essential infrastructure for our local community.”