The EPA's latest report underlines grave concerns about water quality in Ireland.
Three Olympic sized swimming pools of raw untreated sewage is flowing into Ireland's water systems every day.
The latest Urban Waste Water Treatment report from the EPA says less than half of waste water here is treated to European standards, with huge issues recorded in Dublin and Cork.
Waste water is posing a threat to the surface water quality in a number of midlands towns as well.
Ballymore, Portarlington, and Kilcormac are all highlighted in the report as being compromised by waste water, or potentially farming or forestry.
The report states that Uisce Eireann currently has no plan in place to address the issues in Offaly, Laois and Westmeath.
Noel Byrne from the EPA says now is the time for the utility to step up:
The Envinromental Protection Agency is "not happy" with Uisce Éireann's performance in relation to water quality treatment in the midlands.
Jim Moriarty is a Senior Inspector with the EPA, he says Uisce Éireann have a lot of work to do:
Uisce Éireann says ending raw sewage discharges and improving wastewater treatment across the country are "priorities."
It's highlighting its investment in wastewater treatment plants in Edenderry and Portlaoise, and a 114 million euro upgrade to the Main Drainage Scheme in Athlone.
Wastewater Spokesperson with the body, Micheal Tinsely, says the EPA's Urban Wastewater Treatment report confirms huge progress in tackling deficiencies in the Irish wastewater system:
Biodiversity Week Heralds Celebration Of Midlands "Flora And Fauna"
Offaly Job Fair Has Proven Track Record - Tullamore Chamber Of Commerce
Defence Forces Design Needs To Come Before New HQ Says Tánaiste
Hoped Jobs In Offaly Private Hospital Will Be New
Residents Of Laois IPAS Centre Felt They Weren't Being Listened To
Calls To Establish MIDOC-Like Mental Health Service In Laois
Man Charged In Connection With Midlands GAA Club Break-In
Unsanctioned Modular Homes Removed From Westmeath Village
Woman Living With Colitis - People Who Meet Me Wouldn't Know I Was Ill"
Residents In Westmeath Town Turn Out To Oppose Unsanctioned Modular Homes
Man Hospitalised After 'Serious' Westmeath Assault
Lack Of Accessible Taxis In Laois Leaves Them Unavailable When Needed - Councillor Walsh
New Offaly Hospital To Create Up To 300 New Jobs
Over 1,000 Premises In Westmeath Added To High Speed Broadband Area
Central Location Makes Custume Barracks Ideal For Army HQ - Troy
Man Dies In Midlands Workplace Incident
Calls For An Offaly Train Station To Have Its Own Station Master Again
TUS Honoured For Work On Gender Equality
Laois Candidate Left "Disappointed" After Posters Go Missing
Garda Divisional HQ For Laois Offaly Won't Be Complete Until 2027