An immediate solution is needed to solve a serious sewage problem in the Hermitage estate in Portlaoise, a recent meeting of Laois County Councillors heard.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald brought the motion to the Portlaoise Municipal District meeting where she described how a flooding issue in the estate was leading to a sewage problem that requires an immediate remedy.
A response from Irish Water was described as “long winded” by Cllr Fitzgerald and that the residents “need a solution now to surface water and foul sewage”.
“People have had to go out of the estate to use the toilet,” claimed Cllr Fitzgerald. “They have the height of praise for Laois County Council but people in the area need a short-term solution.
“It’s not fair on people to put up with ongoing issues like that.”
“We need a more definite answer and an immediate timeline,” added Cllr John Joe Fennelly.
Laois County Council Director of Services Simon Walton explained that the issue coincides with heavy rainfall and that Irish Water are working to divert the surface water from getting into to the system.
A response to Cllr Fitzgerald’s motion from Nuala Hansard in Irish Water said that they are the stage of developing design solutions which could include storm water separation, sustainable urban drainage or resizing the network or storage capacity.
“When this work is completed we will have better understanding of possible solutions,” said the Irish Water response.
“Irish Water and Laois County Council will need to work together to assess the feasibility and remove surface water from the foul system as an immediate task to try divert the need of major capital upgrades.”
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