Troy encourages rural communities to have say on future wastewater services

Submissions sought as Uisce Éireann develop new national plan for small towns and villages

Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy is encouraging people, community groups, businesses and other stakeholders across rural Westmeath to make submissions on the future of wastewater services in small towns and villages.

Uisce Éireann have launched a public consultation on the Small Wastewater Treatment Plants National Plan: ‘Supporting Communities while Protecting our Natural Environment’, which will help shape how wastewater services are planned and delivered in smaller communities into the future.

The consultation is particularly important for rural communities, where the availability and capacity of wastewater infrastructure can have a significant impact on housing, business development, population growth and the ability of towns and villages to develop sustainably.

Deputy Troy said: “I would strongly encourage people across Westmeath, particularly those living in rural towns and villages, to take this opportunity to have their say.

“Local people know the challenges facing their communities better than anyone. They know where wastewater capacity is under pressure, where infrastructure needs investment and how limitations in wastewater services can affect housing, businesses and future development.

“This consultation provides an opportunity for those local experiences to be heard as Uisce Éireann develops a national plan for small wastewater treatment plants.

“We need to ensure that investment in wastewater infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of our rural communities. If we want to see our towns and villages grow, attract families, support businesses and provide much-needed housing, appropriate infrastructure must be in place.

“I would encourage local residents, community organisations, businesses and elected representatives to make a submission and highlight the specific challenges and opportunities in their own area.”

The plan will focus on wastewater treatment plants serving communities of fewer than 1,000 population equivalent, approximately the equivalent of 350 homes. Uisce Éireann operates around 800 such small wastewater treatment plants across the country.

The consultation will help inform the development of a draft national framework, which will subsequently be subject to further consultation before the final plan is adopted.

Deputy Troy added: “It is important that this process does not become simply a national exercise. The experience of individual communities needs to be reflected in the final plan.

“I would particularly urge communities that have experienced difficulties with wastewater capacity, delays in infrastructure upgrades or constraints on development to put those issues on the record.

“This is an opportunity to help shape how future investment is prioritised and to make sure the needs of rural communities are properly recognised.”

Have your say

Submissions can be made to Uisce Éireann until 5pm on 20 October.

The consultation documents and details on how to make a submission are available at www.water.ie/smallcommunitiesww.

Submissions can also be made by email to smallcommunitiesww@water.ie or by post to: Small Wastewater Treatment Plants National Plan, Enterprise Fund Business Centre, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, County Donegal, F92 AF43