EPA Warns Untreated Raw Sewage Flowing Into Water Systems

Thursday, 26 October 2023 12:01

By Caoimhe Harney

The EPA said over half of Ireland's wastewater discharges are not meeting EU standards to protect the environment.

Ireland's environmental watchdog has warned the equivalent of three Olympic-size swimming pools of untreated raw sewage are flowing into Ireland's water systems every day because of a lack of water treatment plants.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raised the concern in a detailed report which has criticised Uisce Éireann.

In its Urban Waste Water Treatment report for 2022, the EPA said over half of Ireland's wastewater discharges are not meeting EU standards to protect the environment.

Uisce Eireann say it's made a huge effort to enhance water quality over the last 12 months.

The utility says years of underfunding has lead to major towns not having access to facilities that are up to European standards.

Wastewater delivery manager Michael Tinsley says while it's a slow process, they are on track to eliminate the majority of issues across the country:

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