Fianna Fáil deputy for Mayo, Lisa Chambers has said that after seeing photographs of sewage seeping into the waterways around Newport there is a renewed urgency to build a new waste water treatment facility for Newport.
“I am sure others were as disgusted as I was when they saw the photographs of raw sewage seeping into the river in Newport. This is an area of immense beauty and a popular tourist destination in particularly with the growth in popularity of the greenway. To think residents, local people and tourists visiting would have come across such grotesque scenes is not good enough. In this day and age we cannot have a situation where raw sewage is flowing into our waterways. We have a responsibility to look after the environment and to ensure the area is safe for people to recreate; at the moment we are not doing either of those things.” says Chambers
“My father is from Newport and I spend a lot of time in the town and surrounding areas with family and friends. I am ashamed we have let it get to this stage. I have contacted Irish Water about the issue and spoken to Council officials who agree the waste water treatment facility is much needed. We will be working together to make this project a priority and to make it happen.” says Chambers