Formal complaint over ‘foul’ sewage odours on southside sent to EPA

A formal complaint regarding persistent sewage odour emissions from the Ballinure header chamber in Mahon has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The complaint, submitted by Labour Party councillor for the Cork city South East ward, Peter Horgan, was lodged alongside signatures from more than 100 local residents and over 90 first-hand impact statements.

Mr Horgan said that for many years, residents living in Ballinure, Mahon, Blackrock, Jacobs Island, Beaumont, and Ballinlough have “endured recurring foul sewage odours believed to originate from this wastewater infrastructure”.

“While the issue has intensified significantly in recent weeks, it is by no means new,” said Mr Horgan. 

“The volume of complaints received from residents, together with the consistency of reports over many years, demonstrates the significant impact these odours are having on their daily lives. The consistency of these responses presents compelling evidence of a widespread and persistent environmental nuisance,” he added.

“Uisce Éireann has publicly acknowledged that investigations are ongoing and has installed hydrogen sulphide monitoring equipment at the Ballinure header chamber.

“While these steps are welcome, they have not alleviated the problem experienced by residents, who continue to report severe odour episodes.”

One resident said the smell is “so bad it’s coming up my sink drains and from behind my washing machine as well as in my windows and doors. I can smell it morning, noon and night.”

Another resident said: 

“We can’t have our windows open as the smell is sickening in the house. We can’t sit in our garden as the smell is so bad. It’s rancid and goes beyond a normal sewage smell. It’s toxic.”

Meanwhile, other impact statements highlighted how residents are concerned for the potential impact to their health and the wellbeing of their families.

One mother said her son – who is eight years old – had “a very worrying upset tummy for five weeks straight”.

“I’m deeply concerned about the effects this is having on our health and all those around us,” she said. “It’s inhumane to allow people to live like this.”

The formal complaint calls on the EPA to conduct an independent investigation into the source and nature of the odour emissions, and to assess whether the emissions constitute environmental pollution or nuisance under the relevant environmental legislation.

“The people of Mahon and Blackrock have shown extraordinary patience over many years,” said Mr Horgan.

“They should not be expected to continue living with persistent sewage odours that prevent them from opening their windows, using their gardens or enjoying their homes.”