Raw sewage flowing into school in Kilkenny

Councillor Maria Dollard has welcomed the news that at last there is to be action taken to address the shocking escape of sewage on Michael St and into the Lake School three times already this year.

The problem has seen residents of the street 'sweeping raw sewage out of gardens' on a number of occasions according to Cllr Dollard. 

“In July I was contacted by residents who showed me the aftermath of a heavy rain event that left the street and footpaths strewn with sewage and foul smelling water. I was shocked and contacted both Kilkenny County Council and Irish Water.”

Residents and the nearby Lake School had raised this issue several times previously but the impact of climate change rainfall events meant that the frequency of the events have increased.

Rainfall events over 6mm per hour seemed to be the trigger for the overflow of a storm drain that is connected to a sewerage pipe. This connection is not uncommon in old pipes in urban areas but if an overflow happens the results are extremely distressing.

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Last July there was uncertainty regarding who was responsible for the problem. Following two rain events over 6mm last week, residents again had to deal with sewage in their gardens and yards and the utterly unacceptable flooding of sewerage into the school yard which presented a public health risk. 

“Following a representation from myself and residents to Irish Water it was confirmed to me in writing that following Irish Waters assessment, the responsibility for rectifying the matter lay with Kilkenny County Council. I am delighted that Director of Service Tim Butler confirmed that the situation was not acceptable to Kilkenny County Council and immediate action would be taken to address the issue.

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"I thank the Council for at last addressing this issue for the residents of Michael St, the children and staff of the Lake School who have suffered enough from these distressing events, this year especially.”