Work must be done to stop manholes near Dodder Valley Weir overflowing

A LOCAL TD has urged Uisce Éireann “to do the necessary work” to stop manholes near Dodder Valley Weir from overflowing during periods of heavy rainfall.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy raised the issue with the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, on the last day of his Dáil term in late December.

Deputy Murphy questioned whether the Tánaiste would join him “in urging Uisce Éireann to do the necessary work so this does not continue to occur.”

He highlighted that the pollution the overflowing causes “has a damaging impact in terms of people who live in the area, has an impact on the enjoyment of people in the park and threatens wildlife.”

“Every time it happens, the council [is] left to clean it up, but the underlying issue has not been addressed,” said Deputy Murphy.

“It is a question for Uisce Éireann, in terms of the need for capacity works at the Dodder Valley sewer.”

The Tánaiste, who said that Murphy’s point was “well made”, advised that he will “talk to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who has a particular interest in the Dodder, and Uisce Éireann.”

As previously reported in The Echo, heavy and persistent rain frequently results in the manholes linked to the Dodder Valley Sewer surcharging and flooding into the surrounding parkland.

It causes raw sewage to leak into the portion of Dodder Valley Park that’s between Morton’s Pub in Firhouse and Cherryfield, which Mayor Alan Edge previously described as not being treated “with the urgency” it requires.