Slurry tankers are being used to remove sewage from a newly-opened Dublin housing estate because it has not been connected to the sewerage network.

Irish Water has said it will be next year before more than 100 homes at the White Pines estate in Rathfarnham are connected to the network.

Wastewater is being pumped from the homes to a holding tank which is emptied by a slurry tanker several times a week.

These people who live in the estate told Newstalk they didn’t know about the temporary solution when they agreed to rent their homes.

“I am surprised,” said one. “I am not really sure what that’s about and I have been informed about it.”

“It depends how it is treated. If it is well-maintained, I wouldn’t have a problem with it – if it is within regulations.”

“I am ging to have to find out about because I have no idea what it is even about,” said another.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said the situation is “unsatisfactory.”

“My understanding is that there is a network solution coming early in the next year,” he said.

“It is unsatisfactory that there is that gap between the opening of the housing estate and that solution being put in place and that should be a lesson I think for every other development to make sure we do avoid that happening again.”

Irish Water said it is in the process of upping capacity in the Rathfarnham area – with works due to be completed in the first half of next year when the estate will be connected to the main sewer network.