Green drainage system to purify rainwater unveiled in Cobh 

A new green drainage system which is designed to capture and purify rainwater run-off from roads and footpaths has been unveiled at the East Beach in Cobh by the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, and Cllr Alan O’Connor, deputising for the Mayor of County Cork.

The scheme is part of a Nature Based Solution Pilot Project and will help manage rainwater run-off by using urban trees and rain gardens and soils specially chosen to act as natural filters. This will clean dirty water before it is released into the waterways or the sea.

This innovation is aimed at reducing flood risk and also enhancing water quality, fostering biodiversity and improving the built environment.

The first stage of the pilot scheme was launched by Minister Noonan and Cllr O’Connor and consists of a demonstrator rain garden at East Beach where the quality of rainwater run-off will be tested and monitored along with the bioretention soils used for water filtration. The next step for this project will be to develop a permanent rain garden at Westbourne Place and Five Foot Way.

At Friday’s launch, Minister Noonan paid tribute to local schoolchildren who have been participating in educational workshops where they were learning about nature-based solutions, biodiversity and giving their view on where these could be incorporated into their town.

““I am excited to see the demonstrator project, which is the initial phase of Cobh’s nature-based solutions pilot project,” said the Minister for State.

“My department will soon launch the third River-Basin Management Plan and projects like this are fantastic examples of how communities can come together to help address water quality issues in their area.” 

School Involvement

The schools involved in the project included children from Gaelscoil Uí Éigeartaigh, Buncsoil Rinn An Chabhlaigh, St Joseph’s and St Mary’s National School.

Cllr Alan O’Connor, deputising for the County Mayor, also thanked the members of Cobh Tidy Town for playing a pivotal role in promoting and implementing the rain garden demonstrator.

“They participated in workshops on nature-based solutions and have taken great pride in decorating this new green infrastructure for their town,” said Mr O’Connor. 

“Projects such as this will encourage people to live, work and reconnect with nature in the heritage town centre of Cobh.” 

The pilot project forms an integral part of the climate action commitments outlined in Cork County Council’s Cobh Town Centre Urban Design Plan.

Valerie O’Sullivan, Divisional Manager for South Cork at Cork County Council, welcomed this unique pilot project in Cobh and said that nature based solutions such as the one launched on Friday formed a vital part of the Cobh Public Realm Plan.

“New urban green infrastructure is crucial for the sustainable development of our own centres while nurturing resilient local communities,” said Ms O’Sullivan. 

“Cork County Council is proud to work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this innovative pilot project.”