An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report has found that the operation of Limerick City Council's Longpavement landfill site has had a "serious impact" on the surrounding environment.The landfill, which is on the shores of the River Shannon, has been closed since 1998.
However, the council recently sought a waste management licence from the EPA to restore the site within a five-year period and transform it into a visitor attraction for the city.
Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of refuse were deposited on the 67-acre site after it opened in 1972.
The EPA inspector in the case, Mr Brian Donlan, stated in his report that "the operation of the landfill has and continues to have a serious impact on the surrounding environment, particularly in terms of air and water quality".
In his report, Mr Donlan stated that "it is apparent from the results obtained that the facility poses a significant risk in terms of landfill gas migration due to the proximity to temporary and permanent residences".
Mr Donlan reported that the water in the ditches adjacent to the former landfill areas is seriously polluted, while water in the downstream River Shannon samples had higher levels of ammonia concentration.
As a result of Mr Donlan's report, the EPA has ruled in the draft licence issued that the site be fully restored within three years and not the five years sought by Limerick City Council.
This is expected to increase the initial council estimate of €6.5 million to rehabilitate the landfill site; the council is proposing to establish an eco-centre on the site.
The council's director for the environment, Mr Oliver O'Loughlin, said yesterday that the council had worked extremely hard in seeking the licence.
He said: "We could not do anything to restore the site until the licence was issued. It is a fabulous part of the city and we have plans to rehabilitate the site and establish an eco-centre on it because of the diverse habitats in the area. I believe it will be the first former landfill site in the country that will become a tourist attraction."
Mr O'Loughlin said landfill migration "is a concern and we are going to deal with it".
