COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, September 23, 2024

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor J. Spear

"To ask the manager what investigations have been carried out to determine the source of the pollution entering the River Poddle in Tallaght periodically and what steps are the Council taking to prevent further pollution?

REPLY:

In recent months, the council received a number of reports of pollution incidents in the Barcroft Park area of the River Poddle.  The location of the reported incidents is near a surface water discharge point, that has an extensive upstream catchment area, which includes industrial areas around Airton Road and Cookstown Industrial Estate.  The reported pollution incidents were sporadic, and of short time duration.  In conjunction with a large surface water catchment area, identifying possible sources of the pollution was difficult.

Following extensive investigation from the Water Pollution section, a likely source was identified on 7th August 2024, in the Cookstown Industrial Estate area.  The property was recently re-developed and new operations had been undertaken at the site. Following engagement with the property owner, SDCC issued instruction to cease the offending activity immediately and carry out prescribed corrective measures.  The property owner has cooperated with SDCC instruction to cease the activity and ensure the necessary requirements are put in place to prevent such pollution incidents from reoccurring.  Since engagement with the property owner, SDCC has not received any additional reports of pollution incidents in the Bancroft Park are of the River Poddle. 

Water Pollution will continue to engage with the property owner to ensure all corrective measures are completed. Further investigation and engagement with property owners in the Cookstown Industrial Estate area is ongoing, to reduce the potential of additional sources of water pollution originating from the area.