Goodwin Estate in Rosenallis has been labelled a “Third world estate” due to smells and sewage difficulties there.
Cllr David Goodwin made the comment while discussing a motion by him before the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.
“The smell of the sewage there is something else,” he said.
He had sought an update on connecting the estate to the sewage treatment plant.
“Laois County Council would welcome an approach from a representative group from the residents of the estate in order to explore the possibility of creating a group sewerage scheme,” Michael O’Hora, senior engineer, water services outlined in a written response.
He said if there is a willingness on behalf of the residents to form such a group, then it may be possible.
A preliminary report would need to suggest that the scheme could be constructed, he said.
This would require a financial contribution from the residents at a reasonable cost, along with a government grant.
Proposal
The council would then submit a proposal to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government for funding for such a scheme under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme.
“Irish Water would have to approve a connection to their scheme,” he said.
Council staff would be willing to meeting a residents group to explore this proposal, he said.
In response, Cllr Goodwin said he would have a motion before the next meeting requesting the council connect its houses there to the sewage plant.
“The cost mightn’t be prohibitive and then the local residents could tap into it,” he said.
The issue has been going on for a long time, Cllr Seamus McDonald said. He expressed concerns about discharges into rivers there.
“It is scandalous in this day and age that there is no connection,” Cllr Paddy Bracken said.
Michael Rainey, senior executive officer, said he would ask director of services Donal Brennan to look into the issue.
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