Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 May 2018
298. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of money paid in financial penalties to the EU as a result of non-compliance with sewage running into water courses across the State and in relation to the Avoca River, Arklow, County Wicklow. [20671/18]
View answerThe Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive mandates member states to collect and treat urban waste water in towns and cities to protect public health and avoid pollution of rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Member states had until the end of December 2000 to ensure appropriate treatment for large agglomerations (with a population equivalent of more than 15,000), and until the end of December 2005 for agglomerations with a population equivalent of more than 2,000 which discharge to freshwaters and estuaries.
To date, no fines have been levied against Ireland by the EU for breach of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
Irish Water is undertaking significant investment in urban waste water collection and treatment over the period to 2021 and plans to deliver 255 waste water treatment projects in urban areas, achieving water-quality improvements and compliance with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
