Portarlington sewage treatment plant a threat to Barrow River - EPA
Sewage discharge ‘the main pressure’ on rivers in Portarlington and 34 other Irish towns says Environmental Protection Agency.
Portarlington is being urged to be prioritised for a wastewater treatment plant upgrade in a new report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It is urging Uisce Éireann to prioritise two Laois treatment plants, at Portarlington and Ballyroan for wastewater upgrades, due to potential pollution risks.
While work is underway at Ballyroan, Portarlington built on the protected River Barrow is still one of 35 highlighted priorities across Ireland where “wastewater discharges were identified as the main pressure on local rivers”.
It is one of 26 plants where “improvements needed have still not started and are not currently scheduled for completion for several more years”.
“Delays in progressing the corrective actions needed at these locations are prolonging impacts on water quality,” warns the EPA, the regulator of Uisce Éireann.
Portarlington’s plant is listed as having spare capacity for more connections by UE.
The town is likely to receive funding in the future however. Uisce Éireann recently welcomed Portarlington’s inclusion in a Government priority list for a share of €2 billion for developments like water and wastewater services, as a “highly projected growth area”. Portlaoise is also on the list, as a key town.
The only other Laois plant mentioned in the EPA’s new report is Ballyroan, which is undergoing an upgrade to serve a population of 600 and cost over €1.5m.
It is one of nine national priority areas causing a threat to Freshwater Pearl Mussels, a critically endangered species that needs clean, free-flowing, well oxygenated rivers.
Laois TD Sean Fleming welcomed the report, but notes there is “more work to do”.
“I welcome the announcement of cleaner water, a healthier environment and more resilient wastewater services which are making a real difference for communities across Co. Laois.
“The latest EPA report highlights the significant progress made in 2025, which means that today 93% of our wastewater treatment plants in Ireland are compliant with EU standards.
“We are investing in wastewater services across Laois to protect the local environment and support communities as they grow.”
Deputy Fleming welcomed Ballyroan’s nearing completion of the upgrade of the plant, to increase capacity to serve existing and future development and meet Irish and EU legal requirements.
He also welcomed the upgrading of the Borris-in-Ossory plant to support future development and protect the local environment.
“In Portlaoise, we are progressing plans for a major upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant. Once complete, this multimillion-euro investment will help protect the local environment and support the long-term growth of the town and surrounding communities.
“While these achievements are making a real difference for communities and the environment, we know there is more work to do. We remain focused on addressing challenges, investing where it is needed most, and delivering the improvements that communities expect and deserve.
“This is significant progress in Laois in recent years and with continued investment in communities right across the country, modernising wastewater services, protecting local waterways and ensuring communities can grow and thrive while safeguarding the environment,” Dep Fleming said.
Laois has 29 wastewater treatment plants. Uisce Éireann marks five as Red because they are at capacity. They are in Borris-in-Ossory which is getting an upgrade, Ballinakill, Arles, Newtown Doonane, Swan and Timahoe.
Mountmellick and Clonaslee are Amber, with only potential spare capacity. The rest are green with spare capacity for more properties to connect.
The EPA in its newly released 2025 report states that “every day, more than one billion litres of sewage is conveyed through approximately 26,000 kilometres of public sewers before being treated at over 1,000 treatment plants. The treated wastewater is then discharged to rivers, estuaries, lakes and coastal waters.
“Treating wastewater to make it clean and safe before discharge is essential to protect the environment and public health. Untreated and inadequately treated wastewater can contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can make people sick. It can also pollute and degrade aquatic ecosystems”.
In 2025, the EPA as the environmental regulator of Uisce Éireann (UE), carried out 287 wastewater enforcement inspections, and seven successful prosecutions against UE.
Laois County Council is about to upload a required Local Authority Action Tracker to its website, which will detail actions it has taken to protect and improve water quality in Laois.