EU Takes Ireland To Court Over Waste Water Pollution

The European Commission is to take Ireland to the Court of Justice of the EU for its failure to ensure that urban waste water in 38 towns and cities across the country is adequately collected and treated to prevent serious risks to human health and the environment.

Under EU law (Council Directive 91/271/EEC), towns and cities are required to collect and treat their urban waste water, as untreated waste water can put human health at risk and pollute lakes, rivers, soil, coastal and groundwater.

The 38 towns and cities with inadequate wastewater infrastructure include: Arklow, Athlone, Ballybofer/Stranorlar, Ballincollig New, Castlecomer, Cavan, Clifden, Clonakily, Cobh, Cork City, Dundalk, Enfield, Enniscorthy, Fermoy, Gaoth Dobhair, Killarney, Killybegs, Longford, Mallow, Midleton, Monksland, Navan, Nenagh, Oberstown, Pasage/Monktown, Portarlington, Rathcormac, Ringaskiddy, Ringsend, Roscommon Town, Roscrea, Shannon Town, Thurles, Tralee, Tubbercurry, Youghal and Waterford City.

The referral decision also raises additional concerns about the failure to ensure that a correct operating licence has been issued for the treatment plants serving the agglomerations of Arklow and Castlebridge.

Member States had until the end of 2000 to ensure appropriate treatment of wastewater from large towns and cities and until the end of 2005 for discharges from medium-sized areas.

The Commission initiated the infringement against Ireland in September 2013, followed by warnings in September 2015 and September 2016.

According to a recent Commission report on the implementation of EU environmental policy and law in Member States, one of the main challenges Ireland faces is maintaining the important investments required for water services, given the urgent need to invest in water infrastructure.

(MH/JP)