This article is from page 20 of the 2011-09-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been asked to communicate with the people of Shannon, amid concerns over the circulation of an unsavoury odour in the town.
Reports that a smell has been in circulation in Smithstown and Ballycasey in recent weeks have prompted widespread concern.
According to some reports, the smell is an unsavoury pungent odour, while other people are complaining of a sewage smell.
The matter has been referred to Clare County Council and the EPA and it is being investigated.
In response to a query from The Clare People , a council spokesperson commented, “Clare County Council received complaints in mid August regarding an odour in the general vicinity of Smithstown Industrial Estate, Shannon.”
“These complaints were investigated by Clare County Council and this investigation is ongoing. It is acknowledged that there is an odour present. The matter has also been referred to the EPA for investigation as there are three EPA licensed facilities located in Smithstown Industrial Estate.
“Clare County Council and the EPA are carrying out odour checks in the vicinity in an attempt to isolate a potential source for the odour,” added the response.
Local county councillor Patricia McCarthy (Independent) said that better communication from the EPA is required. She said that she filed a query on this with the EPA two weeks ago and while it was acknowledged, she has not heard anything since then.
She is fearful that the odour will be in existence for a lengthy period before it is tackled, similar to what happened two years ago when a smell circulated.
“I am aware that the council sent in a complaint in August. We are back at the merry-go-round we had two years ago. We deserve an explanation, sooner rather than later,” she said.
“It’s just not comfortable, whether it is the odour from the sewerage or Smithstown, it is a terribly uncomfortable feeling. It was going on and on before. Nobody is listening to us. They are not communicating. They are not keeping us informed,” said Cllr McCarthy.
Last week, it was confirmed that an investigation had been launched, which involves EPA inspectors carrying out odour checks in the vicinity, in an attempt to isolate a potential source of the smell.
In March of this year, the EPA put monitoring measures in place in the town and indicated at the time that it would continue for up to a year.
The EPA’s mobile laboratory which is located in the town actively analyses the quality of air in the town and surrounding areas.