COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Tuesday, May 07, 2019

MOTION NO. 12

MOTION: Councillor S. Holland

I have submitted motions and questions over the years regarding drainage works at Owendoher Haven, including in April 2016 "That a full drainage inspection is carried out and any works necessary completed, before construction begins on the 40 new houses off Ballyboden Road.  Sewage overflows have been reported twice in 6 months all around the Boden Park/Owendoher Haven areas and this will only get worse when more houses are relying on the system.".  I visited the site recently and saw that raw sewage is still flooding the houses, and that occupancy of the new units is delayed because of this. 

This Council calls on the Chief Executive to expedite a permanent solution to the problem of sewage polluting homes, and report on what work is being done to alleviate the problem currently.

REPORT:

The Owendoher Haven TAP housing is served by an existing waste water pump station that was installed at the time the day houses were constructed circa 2001.

The system is operable in the short to medium term as a viable system. A new group scheme specifically designed to meet the needs of exiting residents will be connected to the new pump station.

A number of blockages and overflows have occurred in the existing system. Blockages and overflows have also occurred to a number of new projects. Inspection and survey of the blockages have not revealed design / construction flaws in any of the installations, though the older Owendoher installation has proven more vulnerable to inappropriate disposal via the sewage system.

In order to alleviate any further blockages in housing schemes the following measures will be taken:

  1. If the system in Owendoher Haven is found to have system defects other than disposal blockages, consideration will be given to connect to the new pump station, in consultation with the residents.
  2. Performance of the existing pump station will be monitored until the new scheme is under construction.
  3. All connections formed will be to the new and revised IW standards
  4. Tenants will be advised on objects and inappropriate material that should not be disposed of into the sewer system.

The 40 new housing units will be served by a new waste water pump station installed to new revised standards including features such as 24 hour holding tanks and various other measures incorporated to enhance safety and performance. The increased specification has caused delays with installation as the systems available are just being updated.

When connected, the new system will have the optimum capacity to service 60 units, which will include the 40 new units, and renewal of the existing 9 units [8 new, one extended] in Owendoher Haven. Provision has been made as part of the existing contract to construct a connection / manholes to the new pump station.