‘Dangerous’ and ‘unsanitary’ situation in Deerpark Road homes highlighted

Wastewater, contaminated with sewage, regularly forces its way back up through the waste pipes of some homes in the Deerpark Road area during flooding, and overflows from sinks, showers and toilets, a local councillor has claimed, painting an appalling picture where residents so desperate to stop it were smashing exterior pipes to allow the waste gush into their garden.

Uisce Éireann must immediately investigate the cause of this “urgent and appalling” situation, urged Fianna Fáil's Aengus O'Rourke, and commit to making the necessary investment this year in order to put this “dangerous, unsanitary situation” right before winter of 2023/2024.

Raising the issue in a motion at the February meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District, Cllr O'Rourke described what happens in the affected homes.

“Basically when the river rises it pushes the wastewater problem back up through the waste pipes in these houses which is an appalling situation which had members of that community out on ladders smashing their exterior pipes of their houses where the sewage down pipe comes from upstairs with a hammer to allow the sewerage gush out into the garden rather than the upstairs of the house,” he said at the meeting on Monday week last.

“This is an appalling situation, and there are a few reasons for it,” he said, pointing out that one is is the condition of the underground system down there, which he said was a failing system that was worsening each year.

He said another factor was probably in the increase in the numbers living in the area.

“The main problem is the fact we have a combined system which is being forced up by the river as it rises. In this day and age, it's not good enough. Some of these houses have young children living in them and they have this situation arising each year,” he complained.

However, a resolution to the problem doesn't appear likely in the short-term as a written reply from the council revealed that “Uisce Éireann is aware that when River Shannon levels are high the wastewater network in the general Deerpark area is adversely affected. During such periods water services crews increase operational oversight and maintenance to mitigate the flooding issues.

“A final resolution to this problem is a key objective of the €100m+ Athlone Main Drainage Project which commenced in December 2022 with a three year construction programme,” the written reply added.

With a final solution three to four years away, Cllr O'Rourke called for some “short term fixes” because this situation could not be allowed to happen again each winter until the Athlone Main Drainage Project is complete.

He said residents can see it's going to happen, but by the time Irish Water truck comes it's too late.

Speaking about an earlier meeting that day with Uisce Éireann, prior to the public meeting, Cllr O'Rourke said he was happy to report that the utility staff have agreed to meet with residents which is a “positive step”.

While he is happy the main drainage project has now begun, his party colleague Frankie Keena described the Deerpark situation as “horrific” and it is a long time for residents to have to wait for a resolution.

Something needs to be done for the residents to ease the burden in the short-term, he said, a view supported by Independent Cllr Paul Hogan, who said that this is happening in this day and age is “absolutely appalling” for residents.

Interim measures are necessary and he wondered whether a non-return valve would work there as it has in other area.

Mayor Cllr Vinny McCormack agreed with the view that the situation cannot be allowed to continue, and short-term measures need to put in place to deal with waste coming back up their pipes into homes.