Sir, - I wish to reject in the strongest terms possible allegations by Mr Adrian Clarke (June 17th) that the pumping station at the West Pier, Dun Laoghaire is responsible for "foul odoriferous emissions" causing a "putrid stew" at Seapoint.
Since the West Pier pumping station was commissioned in 1991, discharges of sewage at this location have ceased. Sewage is now pumped to the Dublin Corporation works at Ringsend, where it is treated prior to discharge.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, with the support of the Department of the Environment and the European Union, has invested very heavily in the upgrading of sewage facilities and is continuing that investment (totalling some £40 million) to ensure that there will be no untreated sewage discharging into the coastal waters of the county.
This council's farsighted policy on sewage treatment has resulted in major improvements in sea water quality. Objective proof of that improvement is the award of the European Blue Flag to the beaches at Killiney and Seapoint in recent years, including both 1996 and 1997. This is a major achievement for beaches so close to a large city.
Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council is justifiably proud of its achievements in this area notwithstanding the ill informed and emotive comments by Mr Clarke. - Yours, etc
Senior Administrative Officer, County Hall,
Dun Laoghaire.