Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
298. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any survey has taken place to analyse the level of human sewage entering watercourses, rivers, and lakes in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43958/23]
View answer299. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if expert analysis has taken place to assess the impact of human sewage entering watercourses, lakes, and rivers in County Tipperary; if expert analysis has taken place to assess the likely effects if human sewage was not entering watercourses, lakes and rivers in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43959/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 298 and 299 together.
Primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts and related legislation.
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 treated waste water safely to the environment in an efficient and sustainable manner.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 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.
The EPA publishes regular reports on its monitoring and assessment of water quality in rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal areas. All these reports are available on www.epa.ie/
