No end in sight to Shannon sewerage

Raw sewerage is set to be discharged into the Shannon at the existing Athlone Marina in the centre of Athlone for up to five more years, it has emerged this week. The news emerged as Athlone Town Council confirmed the sewerage outflows at the Marina mean it cannot apply for a new Blue Flag this year. The return of the Blue Flag to Athlone Marina is unlikely until stage one of the Drainage Scheme is implemented, Athlone town councillors were told this week. Fine Gael Cllr Mick O"Connell has raised the issue, asking the council how it proposed regaining the Blue Flag for the marina in 2009. Town Clerk John Walsh said the flag had been withdrawn last year because of discharges from the storm overflow at Abbey Road and it was unlikely to be regained until stage one of the long-awaited Athlone Main Drainage Scheme was complete. He said there was little point applying for the flag next year. Following the meeting Cllr O"Connell said: 'Athlone had managed to maintain Blue Flag status from 2003 until 2007. The agreement with An Taisce was that the Blue Flag could not be flying if there was sewage being discharged into the river at the CSO (Combined Sewage Overflow) beside the Marina. When An Taisce carried out their inspection the council was in breach of this requirement, hence the flag was lost.' He said the town would now have to wait for between three and five years until it reapplies for the Blue Flag.