Uisce Éireann has announced a two-week extension to its public consultation period for the long-term wastewater services plan in the Cork Metropolitan area. Originally set to conclude on 9 July 2024, the consultation period will now run until 23 July 2024.
The unprecedented 50-year Cork Wastewater Strategy, which began on 15 May 2024, aims to evaluate all wastewater treatment and network infrastructure within the Cork Metropolitan Area (CMA). This comprehensive assessment is designed to identify necessary upgrades to meet the future demands of a growing population, while considering economic growth, environmental changes, and climate change.
Uisce Éireann has been collaborating with various environmental and public bodies to progress this detailed evaluation. The public is also encouraged to participate and provide input during the extended consultation period. More information on how to contribute can be found on the dedicated Cork Wastewater Strategy webpage.
Paul Fallon, Portfolio Manager for Uisce Éireann, emphasised the significance of the project:
“This is an important project for the people of Cork, the first of its kind undertaken. Uisce Éireann is proactively looking ahead to identify the needs of the area, and the community, as far forward as 2080. We would encourage local people to use this two-week extension period to get involved in the public consultation phase and have their say.”
Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO, previously highlighted the urgency of the initiative:
“The National Planning Framework 2040 predicts that Cork will become the fastest-growing city region in Ireland with a projected 50% to 60% increase of its population in the period up to 2040. As a result of this growth, the wastewater drainage infrastructure is challenged to keep pace with the increased demand for new serviced land for housing, commercial developments, and industry.”
The Cork Wastewater Strategy aims to deliver a sustainable drainage system that will protect public health, safeguard the environment, and support growth until 2080.
The study encompasses the Cork Metropolitan Area, Cork Harbour, and Cork Outer Harbour Water Framework Directive waterbodies. As part of developing the draft strategy, Uisce Éireann has prepared key environmental reports including a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA). Feedback is now being sought on the Issues Paper, SEA Scoping Report, and AA Screening Report, all of which are available for review and download at www.water.ie/cws.
Submissions can be made via email to [email protected] or by post to Cork Wastewater Strategy, Uisce Éireann, PO Box 860, South City Delivery Office, Cork City, by the extended deadline of 23 July 2024.
To facilitate stakeholder engagement, Uisce Éireann has posed several consultation questions, though feedback is not restricted to these. Following the consultation period, all received feedback will be considered in the development of the draft Cork Wastewater Strategy and associated environmental reports, set for public consultation in 2025.