The European Commission commenced formal infringement proceedings against Ireland regarding non-compliance with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Directive in certain agglomerations in September 2013. Furthermore, in its role as environmental regulator the Environmental Protection Agency publishes annual reports on compliance with requirements for urban waste water treatment. Therefore, the shortcomings with regard to compliance and the resultant need for significant investment have been known for some time and have been central to investment planning.
Both Irish Water’s Water Services Strategic Plan and the capital investment programme set compliance with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive as a priority. The investment programme has targeted investment in treatment plant upgrades for the affected agglomerations, aimed at ensuring compliance.
Further significant investment is required to ensure ongoing compliance in all agglomerations, facilitate ongoing capital maintenance and upgrade needs, ensure the proper functioning of waste water collection systems, and provide for adequate treatment capacity to facilitate future population and economic growth. Furthermore, appropriate treatment of waste water is also required in urban areas below the population thresholds of the Directive.
Over the period 2017-2021 Irish Water plan investment of approximately €1.7bn in waste water projects, programmes and asset maintenance – inclusive of the €1bn planned to ensure compliance in the 38 agglomerations identified by the European Commission as non-compliant. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on 1890 578 578.
