Raw deal for Lisfannon as sewage row deepens

Uisce Éireann and local representatives in Inishowen remain at odds over how long-standing wastewater problems at Lisfannon and Lady’s Bay are being handled.

Uisce Éireann has confirmed that it has not established a working group to deal specifically with Lady’s Bay or Lisfannon Beach and says no such arrangement was agreed at a meeting with Donegal County Council in September. The utility maintains that while concerns were discussed, there was no formal commitment to set up a group.

South Inishowen Councillor Fionán Bradley has strongly rejected that position, describing it as “just a fabrication or not the case because they absolutely did. They mightn't remember using the words working group, but that was their terminology.”

“The whole point of setting up a working group was to find a solution for issues related to sewerage and treatment so that everyone would know what's happening and see if this issue or an issue like this has arisen anywhere else and what the response was there. We aren't even at the stage of identifying a solution, so we're as far back as ever.”

Uisce Éireann is currently progressing the €31 million Buncrana & Ballybofey–Stranorlar Sewerage Scheme, with works in Buncrana due for completion early next year. The project includes new stormwater storage, upgrades to wastewater infrastructure, and measures designed to prevent non-compliant overflows into the Lough Swilly.

The Westbrook pumping station is already operational and has reduced overflow events to the Crana River, with additional storm tanks at Buncrana Wastewater Treatment Plant expected to come online in 2026.

The utility has said these works will significantly improve wastewater management, but acknowledged that Lady’s Bay remains vulnerable to other sources of pollution, including road runoff, agriculture, forestry, and private wastewater systems.

Uisce Éireann submitted a planning application to Donegal County Council seeking permission for extensive upgrade works at the Buncrana and Fahan Wastewater Treatment Plants, along with the construction of a new pipeline linking the two at the start of December. 

The Fahan wastewater primary treatment plant at Carrontlieve will be converted into a wastewater pumping station. It has long been operating beyond capacity, which curtailed new development in the village.

Councillor Bradley said while investment in Fahan’s sewerage system is essential and welcome, it leaves Lisfannon residents facing the same problems as before. 

“Fahan is effectively closed for development until this upgrade happens, so it’s badly needed,” he said. “But the reality is that raw effluent will still flow over the road at Lisfannon, down across the golf course and onto the beach.”

He said it had been made clear that the new sewer line from Fahan to Buncrana will not connect Lisfannon homes, despite works taking place in close proximity.

“I cannot understand how it can be such an issue to connect Lisfannon to the pipe when they are doing the work,” he said. “From our point of view, Uisce Éireann is basically washing their hands of the problem in Lisfannon and saying, Well, that's not our problem.”

The Buncrana councillor warned that continued bathing restrictions at Lady’s Bay could have serious consequences for Buncrana, particularly during the summer tourist season.

“Not being able to access Lady’s Bay or offer it to our tourists at the height of the tourism season is akin to a business closing down in terms of the economic impact it has on the town.” 

While the Fianna Fail Councilor said he is hopeful that improvements at the Buncrana Wastewater Treatment Plant will lead to better water quality results in the spring, he described the approach as “wait and see.”

Councillor Bradley also criticised Uisce Éireann’s engagement with elected representatives, saying requests for more frequent meetings in the Inishowen Municipal District have been refused.

“We’re told they’re too busy to meet more than once a year,” he said. “It'll be next September before I have an opportunity to sit down opposite Uisce Eireann officials, at any kind of a formal meeting. Their system of engagement with elected reps and other state agencies leaves a lot to be desired.”  

READ NEXT: Buncrana homes and businesses hit with New Year boil water notice

Uisce Éireann has said it will continue to update Donegal County Council as works progress, but has not indicated whether it will now establish a working group to address specific concerns.