Deputy Pearse Doherty has welcomed the ongoing progress being made over recent weeks as part of the highly anticipated Gaoth Dobhair Sewerage Scheme Demonstration project.
According to the latest Irish Water progress report, contract documents relating to the supply of equipment and construction works required to construct the pilot phase of the scheme are currently being advanced by the utility.
Deputy Doherty said “After having written to Irish Water last week to seek the latest update in relation to the pilot phase of the Gaoth Dobhair Sewerage Scheme, I am pleased to have today received a progress report from the company.
“The update from Irish Water confirms that the utility is currently progressing two contracts relating to the scheme and that these agreements relate to the supply of equipment as well as construction works which are needed to install the demonstration project.
“It’s understood that waste water ‘pods’ as well as pipelines to construct this phase of the project are among the goods being purchased by Irish Water at present.”
He added that according to earlier documents, the procurement of these components as well as the appointment of a contractor were both scheduled to commence only once the final preliminary model and scheme layout had been formally finalized, so it’s believed that this work has now been successfully undertaken.
“Similarly, and based on previous reports I received a number of months ago, some forty local homes in Gaoth Dobhair have agreed to partake in this initial demonstration phase so it’s important that the scheme is progressing.
“And while the company has stated that it will be in a position to provide further updates in the coming weeks, I think that this latest news will be very much welcomed by the local community, particularly by those households that will be connected to the pilot scheme.
“The company confirmed to me earlier this year that work will continue on the main project in tandem with this demonstration phase, and that it’s hoped that whatever lessons need to be learned will be during this phase allowing for the smooth delivery of the main scheme.
“I must also praise local residents and businesses for the phenomenal response they have given to the project and for their fantastic engagement during recent consultation sessions.
“The scheme being developed for Gaoth Dobhair is a pressurized system and – once installed – will be a truly innovative design and concept, one which it’s hoped will allow for the economic development of the area going forward, as well as guaranteeing improved water quality for the region.
“I was delighted that Irish Water agreed to my proposal that the connection fee for the scheme would be waived in respect of all those who’ve signed up to be connected to the pilot project, and it is my sincere hope that this will be replicated when the main scheme is ultimately delivered.
“As everyone is acutely aware, the advancements in delivering this scheme have not come about by chance, but are as a direct result of the challenge brought to the EU Commission by MEP Matt Carthy and I who successfully argued that the state was in violation of community law over its failing to deliver a dedicated waste water collection network here in the Gaoth Dobhair area.
“I now look forward to receiving further progress reports from Irish Water over the coming weeks and I am hopeful that we’ll see yet more progress in the time ahead which will lead to the scheme’s delivery.”
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