A dispute over the source of recent pollution in Arklow Harbour has escalated, after Cllr Warren O’Toole, who is a plumber, forcefully challenged Wicklow County Council’s conclusion that the material found in the water was fats and oils rather than faecal matter.
Council official Sarah McCullough told members that laboratory analysis had “absolutely” confirmed the substance was fats and oils, despite its appearance.
She said the council had engaged specialist teams, including an engineer and a surface water unit, who will begin detailed surveys in October.
Consultants have also been appointed to map drainage lines around the harbour, a step officials say is essential given the presence of historic and unmapped pipework that has previously contributed to pollution incidents.
The council is working with Uisce Éireann and the district officials to identify the sources of contamination and ensure the issue is resolved as quickly as possible.
Cllr O’Toole, however, said he “completely disagreed” with the findings and insisted the material he observed on multiple occasions over the summer was faecal matter.
He told the meeting he had personally visited the harbour three times and taken photographs showing what he described as unmistakable sewage.
Drawing on his 30 years of experience as a plumbing contractor, he said he was confident in distinguishing between fats, oils and faecal matter and did not accept the council’s interpretation.
“I don’t necessarily need lab tests to confirm that,” he said, adding that the photographs provided to councillors by officials did not reflect what was present at the time of the incident.
According to Cllr O’Toole, the council’s photographs were taken after heavy rainfall and a high tide, which he believes washed away the original material.
He said the substance he observed remained on the dock for more than five days and that the timeline referenced in the council’s explanation did not align with the dates on which the contamination was visible.
He suggested that the samples tested may not have been taken at the correct time, raising concerns about whether the analysis accurately captured the nature of the pollution.
Cllr O’Toole also noted that he had requested a meeting with officials to discuss the matter further, but had not yet received a response.
Ms McCullough confirmed during the meeting that such a session could be arranged, indicating that the issue will continue to be examined.
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