Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
691. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to address the situation as outlined in the recent Environmental Protection Agency report on urban waste water, which states that up to forty two urban areas have untreated or partially treated effluent being discharged into water courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13522/14]
View answer711. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the actions that will be taken by his Department in consultation with the newly established Irish Water to address the recommendations made by the Environmental Protection Agency in its report entitled Focus on Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2012, particularly to increase the number of treatment plants in compliance with European Union directives on secondary treatment for waste water; and if he is concerned that the EPA identified, among other things, that forty two areas had no waste water treatment plants and are discharging raw sewage. [13773/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 711 together.
In its report Focus on Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) records the continuation of the trend of improved performance in waste water treatment over recent years but it also underlines the need for continued investment to address enduring infrastructural deficiencies and for improvements in operational performance. While there has been considerable Exchequer investment in waste water treatment infrastructure in recent years, clearly that investment has not been sufficient and the report confirms where future investment is required.
On 1 January 2014, Irish Water assumed responsibility for public water services. The establishment of Irish Water and the reform of water services provision are intended to deliver a new more sustainable funding model for the sector. Irish Water will be able to source much needed finance which can then be invested to address the remaining infrastructure deficits highlighted by the EPA report. I am also confident that Irish Water will eliminate the inadequate management practices which the EPA’s report has highlighted as contributing to one third of sewage plant incidents.
The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 requires Irish Water to put in place an investment plan setting out where it considers investment in infrastructure is necessary for the effective performance of its functions. In developing investment plans, Irish Water are required to take account of the water services strategic plan prepared under the legislation and a range of other policy considerations including river basin management plans and local area plans. Before preparing an investment plan, Irish Water is required to consult with the Environmental Protection Agency and with the planning authorities.
Irish Water is currently preparing an investment plan for 2014 – 2016 that will provide for the transition of projects previously included in my Department’s 2010 - 2013 Water Services Investment Programme.
