Water treatment

18.10.2024

Question for written answer  E-002166/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Kathleen Funchion (The Left)

Thus far in 2024, the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted 67 audits of drinking water plants in Ireland. The reported analysis of these audits found that 97 % of plants required action to be taken and just 19 % of plants were operating satisfactorily.

The 2023 EPA report entitled ‘Urban Wastewater Treatment’ stated that water treatment at 10 large towns and cities failed to meet EU standards. The same report stated that 16 towns and villages were discharging raw sewage on a daily basis. This annual report is one of many that highlight the inefficiencies of water treatment in Ireland.

• 1.Is the Commission aware of successive EPA reports highlighting the real concerns over water treatment in Ireland?
• 2.Can the Commission comment on the 10 large towns and cities that failed to meet EU standards and the 16 towns and villages that were discharging raw sewage?
• 3.What actions will the Commission take to ensure the Irish authority responsible, Uisce Éireann, takes the urgent and necessary steps to remedy the situation?

Submitted: 18.10.2024