According to an Environmental Protection Agency report, raw sewage is released into rivers and seas every day in 35 towns and villages across Ireland.
The report added that Ireland failed to meet the EU standards that were set to prevent pollution in 19 towns that generate more than half of Ireland’s sewage.
These areas include the greater Dublin area where almost 44% of Ireland’s wastewater is produced at Ringsend Wastewater Plant.
The report also added that there were 113 areas where improvement was needed to resolve environmental priorities as well as eight areas where inland and coastal waters are threatened by wastewater pollution.
Managing Director of Irish Water Niall Gleeson stated, “We are making real and tangible progress working with local communities to deliver critical infrastructure which has suffered from years of historic underinvestment.”