Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
398. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what powers, if any, the EPA or a local authority have under the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008, or any other legislation, in relation to directing Uisce Éireann to take corrective action where systems under its control are causing pollution of designated bathing waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31291/23]
View answerThe management and protection of bathing waters requires an integrated catchment management approach incorporating the physical, geographical, social and hydrological characteristics of the catchment area of the bathing water and careful management of activities that could be a source of pollution.
The primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of bathing water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation. The local authorities are responsible for managing and monitoring identified bathing waters, in accordance with the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 79/2008). Section 15 of these regulations sets out the requirement for local authorities to implement timely and adequate management measures to prevent pollution when they are aware of an adverse impact on bathing water quality.
Since 1 January 2014, Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level, including investment in waste water treatment plants and returning waste water safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner.
The Environmental Protection Agency is the key statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of Uisce Éireann and local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland, including compliance in relation to licensed urban waste water discharges.
