The unlicensed dumping of effluent into Waterford Harbour has led to enforcement notices being served on the Port authorities as well as a cleaning company. One of the directors of the company is a former Mayor of Waterford.
Waterford Port has confirmed that it received previous complaints about the company's cleaning operation in Belview harbour, which it controls.
Waterford City has recently capitalised on its harbour, however, this Special Area of Conservation was a dumping ground. Trucks regularly pulled up to Frank Cassin Wharf and pumped effluent down a manhole, which eventually flowed into the River Suir. One truck was photographed by environmentalists as it discharged the waste. A local politician complained last April but only found out recently that it was an ongoing dumping problem.
Waterford City Council now believes the effluent was generated by a container cleaning company at Belview harbour which then discharged the waste material at near-by Cassin Wharf. The Director and Secretary of Belview Container Cleaners is Maurice Downey, a former Mayor of Waterford and former member of the Harbour Commissioners.
Waterford Port, which runs the harbour, has been issued with notice to stop. It says that it immediately got the firm to suspend operations until it complied with all regulations. It claims that it was not aware of the dumping, but admits it received previous complaints about BCC.
Environmentalists say that this problem could have been eliminated earlier if those with a vested interest in the harbour were involved in its administration. BCC had assets in 2000 listed as over €45,000. This did not take into account the cost that would have been incurred if this effluent had been treated in line with environmental regulations.
