Uisce Éireann Claims Planning System Delays Affects Project Timescales

Friday, 11 October 2024 06:41

An EPA report has shown a fall in the number of towns and villages discharging waste water daily.

Uisce Eireann says delays in the planning system have affected how quickly projects are completed.

The water utility has been criticised in a new report by the Environment Protection Agency on wastewater treatment.

The EPA says delays in upgrades are having a negative impact on rivers and coastal waters.

However, Uisce Eireann is highlighting 94% of its treatment plants are now in line with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

Michael Tinsley, Senior Wastewater Delivery Manager at Uisce Eireann, says there have been delays in getting projects approved through the planning system:

There's been a drop in the number of towns and villages discharging raw sewage every day.

A new EPA report shows the number has fallen from 29 down to 16 since the start of 2023.

The report also highlights the need for improvement measures in three midlands towns to prevent wastewater discharges from harming rivers, estuaries, lakes and coastal waters.

They are Portarlington, Kilcormac and Ballymore, however, works aren't scheduled to get underway until at least 2029.

Environmental Protection Agency Programme Manager, Noel Byrne says there's room for improvement: