THE POOLBEG INCINERATOR has begun burning again, a week after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated legal proceedings against the company who operate the site.

The EPA also last week found a “moderate” infestation of flies at the site.

Operators Covanta posted a statement on their website this evening, saying:

“Waste processing has resumed today at the Dublin Waste to Energy Facility on Boiler 1. Further updates will be provided as testing and commissioning progresses.”

Eleven people were brought to hospital last month following an ‘unscheduled’ release of lime from the plant’s fabric filter baghouse, which filters emissions during the burning process.

While operations were suspended at Poolbeg following the leak, the conclusion of an investigation from the Health and Safety Authority allowed the recommencement of facility.

That lasted until last week, when testing was allowed begin again. Waste processing has restarted this evening.

Following the infestation, Covanta was warned to “continue fly treatment, as necessary to ensure that fly populations do not increase on site”.

It is believed that the infestation may be linked to the recent termination of activities at Poolbeg, following a lime leak at the plant. The accumulation of waste waiting to be incinerated is being cited as a potential cause.

Read: ‘It’s disgusting’: Fly infestation plagues Dublin residents and businesses

Read: The EPA is taking legal action after the lime leak at the Poolbeg incinerator

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