Half of the raw sewage previously discharged into Cork Harbour is now being treated and returned to sea at the newly operational Shanbally Waste Water Treatment Plant at Ringaskiddy.
The treatment plant began operations today and is part of the €117m Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage project being undertaken by Irish Water in partnership with Cork County Council.
On completion of the five year project - which began in 2014 - all waste water from Cobh, Passage West, Glenbrook, Monkstown, Carrigaline, Ringaskiddy and Shanbally will be treated at the new plant in Ringaskiddy.
Mayor of Cork County Fianna Fáil Councillor Seamus McGrath said it is a major milestone, adding that before the project got under way an average of 40,000 wheelie bins worth of raw sewage were being discharged into the harbour every day.
He said this has now been reduced by half, and by the time the project is complete in 2019, it will be reduced to zero, which he said is welcome news for the environment, the people of Cork, and the future of the harbour.
