Water services boost for Coolatee Sewerage Scheme Lifford says Cllr Gerry Crawford

A major project to address environmental issues including the discharge of raw sewage into one of East Donegal's most important salmon rivers has been welcomed by Lifford councillor, Gerry Crawford.

He said work is due to start shortly when Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) begins to tackle the issues at Coolatee, just outside the town.

The company relayed the good news to the residents last week. They pointed out that they are working in partnership with Donegal County Council and Coffey Construction Ltd to deliver new wastewater infrastructure for the Coolatee community.

They told them: "The project includes the construction of a new Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) type wastewater plant which will help promote and protect the environment now and into the future.

“When completed the scheme will ensure the treatment of wastewater is fully compliant with EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directives and the Certificate of Authorisation and will eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into the Foyle and Deele Rivers resulting in improved water quality that will enhance the local environment and support social and economic development."

They also revealed that planned work will commence on a site adjacent to C&J Meats on May 22 and completion is expected in Summer 2025.

An ICW is a sustainable, natural wastewater treatment system that is designed to look and function in a similar way to a natural wetland. It is an environmentally friendly way to treat wastewater that will result in reduced operational and maintenance costs, as well as biodiversity creation, while also reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

The ICW planned for Coolatee will ensure wastewater is treated in compliance with the European Union (Waste Water Discharge) Regulations and will enhance the amenity value of the local environment, protecting the health and supporting economic and social development. The ICW project will add biodiversity value to the area by providing a habitat for local wildlife while remaining sensitive to the existing landscape.”

Patrick Greene, programme manager with Uisce Éireann said they were looking forward to working with the local community in Coolatee.

"This significant investment will boost Coolatee by enhancing the local environment and improving the water quality of the Foyle and Deele Rivers as well as increasing capacity to facilitate growth and development."

Ongoing Issues

Cllr Crawford said the Coolatee Sewerage Scheme or rather the lack of it has been an ongoing issue and one he has been raising since first elected to the council back in 1999.

"It has encountered many hurdles over the years including the question of jurisdiction and whether Donegal County Council or then then Irish Water was responsible for it. This was resolved when Irish Water accepted jurisdiction.

"The lack of proper treatment has proved very problematic for this area and particularly the houses that are served by it and in recent years it has featured in Environmental Protection Agency reports as an area of concern which needed to be addressed, particularly in relation to the nearby River Foyle. This positive news that new wastewater infrastructure is to begin is very welcome indeed and hopefully will bring an end to this very long-running issue."

He added the Coolatee area had grown larger over the past number of years but some of the houses have been there for around 60 years or so so the project would not only continue the service to them but address the environmental impact and pollution threat to the Foyle.

"Uisce Éireann's plan is an acknowledgment of the importance of maintaining the water quality of such important rivers as the Foyle and the Deele," he said.