There were major differences between consultants acting for residents and for a waste management company, Green Star, about the presence of faults and springs on the site of a proposed landfill in east Galway. Denise McNamara reports from Galway.
Hydrogeologist Mr Tiernan Henry told a Bord Pleanála hearing that a survey near the site at Kilconnell found a "large-scale, significant geographical feature, probably a series of faults running parallel or sub-parallel to the major fault".
Their tests uncovered a spring 200 metres from the site which recorded a discharge adequate to meet the needs of 3,700 people.
However, the hydrogeologist for Green Star, Mr Kevin Cullen, yesterday said there were "no local variations in bedrock resistivity and topography indicative of fractures or fault zones". While Mr Cullen admitted a spring was present, his investigation had revealed it had a very low flow.
Each consultant has criticised the other's report as flawed.
The discrepancies could influence the decision of An Bord Pleanála inspector, Mr Robert Ryan, on whether to overturn the permission granted by Galway County Council to Green Star to build the 60-hectare landfill.
The residents argue that the presence of a major spring running into the Dunkellin catchment and ultimately Galway Bay, which increases the risk of pollution, was enough to cause the council to exclude the site from its site selection process for a municipal landfill.
One of the 70 objectors is Mr Frank Burke, owner of the nearby Raford River fish farm. He stocks 80,000 rainbow trout that are sensitive to the slightest pollution.
The Clarinbridge Oyster Company is also objecting on grounds of possible contamination.
Mr Cullen said a liner system would be built into the site and the leachate, or liquid waste, would be tankered out for disposal at a waste treatment plant in either Galway or Roscommon.
"There is therefore no risk of surface water pollution by migrating leachate in the ground water regime," he said.
But Mr Henry said this system was used in Lisheen Mine in Co Tipperary and pressure ridges had appeared, causing waste to be lost. The hearing continues.