It’s hoped works to stop raw sewerage leaking into the River Fergus at Clarecastle will lead to the further development of the river as a local amenity.
Irish Water has unveiled plans to carry out works there, mainly in 2019.
As things stand, the equivalent of around 1,600 wheelie bins full of untreated wastewater is being discharged into the River Fergus at Clarecastle every day.
Irish Water says this is unacceptable and threatens not only the water quality but the river’s viability as an amenity.
It’s looking to rectify this, and has announced plans to construct a new 1.9 km rising main and other upgrades to the existing pumping station.
It’s anticipated that the proposed works would begin next spring and take in the region of six to nine months to complete.
Clarecastle Fine Gael Councillor Paul Murphy is welcoming the works.
He believes having the river on their doorstep is a fantastic amenity and one that they could develop as an attraction if the works proceed as planned.
An information evening on the project is to be held at the Old Clarecastle National School on Wednesday of next week.
The village is one of five areas in Clare where raw sewerage is being discharged – the others are Kilrush, Kilkee, Ballyvaughan and Liscannor.
Joe Kennedy is Irish Water’s infrastructure lead for the Southern Region and he says works are afoot to address those areas as well.
