Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
753. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had with Irish Water, the Environmental Protection Agency and activist groups, respectively in respect of the level of sewage that was pumped into Dublin Bay in 2023; and the steps that can be taken to address this and to ensure adequate water quality for swimmers. [56717/23]
View answerMy Department chairs the National Bathing Water Expert Group, which advises on the implementation of the Bathing Water Regulations, and collaborates with relevant bodies on addressing significant issues as they arise. The Environmental Protection Agency and Uisce Éireann are represented on this group.
In parallel, my Department is represented on the Bathing Water Task Force, which is chaired by Dublin City Council. The work of the Bathing Water Task Force is aimed at improving bathing water quality all year round in Dublin Bay. Its purpose is to coordinate and focus key regulatory responsibilities to identify, assess and remediate sources of pollution affecting bathing waters in Dublin Bay.
With respect to Ringsend Wastewater Treatment plant, it is Ireland’s largest plant, treating 40% of Ireland’s wastewater. The sewer system in Dublin was built in the 1900s and, as was typical at the time, it carries both wastewater from homes and businesses and water that is drained off roads and pavements. When more rain and wastewater than the plant can process arrives, the excess is held in storm water holding tanks. Normally, when the rain has passed, the excess in the storm water holding tanks enters the plant for treatment.
When there is very heavy and sustained rainfall, the amount of water entering the sewer network can be more than the capacity of the plant and the holding tanks. In that case, to prevent the sewer network from backing up and causing flooding of roads and properties, the storm water is released from the holding tanks to the environment. The storm water tank overflow contains wastewater that is highly diluted with rainwater and has been screened and settled to remove debris – a form of primary treatment. The Storm Water Overflows from the Ringsend plant act as designed for the purpose of relieving the system of excess flows that arise as a result of rainwater. In 2023, almost 97% of the wastewater arriving at Ringsend WWTP went through the full treatment process with the remaining 3% receiving screening and settlement in the storm tanks before discharge.
Uisce Éireann is investing over €500 million in the upgrading of Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project, will provide new capacity to treat the wastewater for a population equivalent of 2.1 million while achieving the standards of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. This phase was completed in Q4 2023, further works which will provide capacity for a population equivalent of 2.4 million will be completed by end 2025.
The various agencies with responsibilities around water quality in Dublin Bay continue to work together striving to maintain the “good” WFD water quality status assigned to the Bay and protect bathers health year-round.
