Wicklow TD John Brady has once again raised serious concerns about the ongoing foul odours coming from the Murrough wastewater pumping station in Wicklow town, which continue to impact residents living in the area and those who want to enjoy the amenity that is the Murrough.
Deputy Brady said:
“I have been raising the issues of foul odours at the Murrough pumping station with both Uisce Éireann and the EPA since 2019. While some minor works were carried out after I repeatedly reported the problem to the EPA, they have only provided short-term relief and have not solved the issue. The reality is that residents in the area are still being forced to endure recurring foul odours, which is simply unacceptable.”
On foot of Deputy Brady’s complaints, the EPA conducted an audit of both the Greystones and Wicklow town wastewater treatment plants in January of this year.
“Following my intervention, the EPA carried out an audit of both plants and recommended that independent monitoring of the facilities be undertaken to properly assess the extent of the odour problem and identify necessary corrective actions. Odour abatement assessments have also been carried out to identify the source of the problem. This shows how serious the issue is, and it is crucial that works are carried out to tackle it in a long-term and meaningful way.”
Deputy Brady highlighted that while independent monitoring is welcome, it cannot stop at assessments and reports.
“It is important that Uisce Éireann engage fully with independent monitoring of their systems, but we must ensure this does not end up as a paper exercise. If the monitoring identifies the need for improvements in odour abatement systems, then Uisce Éireann must ensure funding is in place and that these works are prioritised. Local residents deserve no less.”
Deputy Brady said he had met with Uisce Éireann in March of this year to press the importance of urgent action. He also pointed out that as recently as May, Uisce Éireann had stated that they would be prioritising upgrades at the Murrough pumping station due to the aging infrastructure.
“Uisce Éireann now seem to be rowing back on their commitment and pushing this issue further down the line. They are saying they will not carry out an assessment of the pumping station until early 2026, and only then decide whether works are needed. While they say they will act on any recommendations, this is yet another delay. That is not acceptable for residents who continue to live with this problem on a daily basis.”
Deputy Brady emphasised the impact the odour continues to have on the community.
“The people of Wicklow town and those who use the Murrough deserve to live in an environment free from persistent foul odours. The amenity is being undermined, and the quality of life for nearby residents is being eroded by Uisce Éireann’s failure to act. This is not good enough, and it must be addressed urgently.”
Deputy Brady concluded by calling for immediate action from both Uisce Éireann and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
“Uisce Éireann need to stop dragging their heels and commit to the urgent works needed to deal with this issue once and for all. I have also written to the Minister, who has ultimate responsibility for Uisce Éireann, to ensure that this is treated as a priority. I will continue to monitor this issue closely to make sure it is addressed as soon as possible and in a way that delivers a long-term solution for the community.”