Laois town on priority list to prevent water pollution

A Laois town is on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) radar to prevent water pollution, according to a new report. 

The EPA's report on 'Urban Wastewater Treatment in 2024' has listed Portarlington as one of 34 priority areas in the country where improvement measures are needed to prevent wastewater discharges from harming rivers, estuaries, and lakes.

The report states that Uisce Éireann "has no clear timeline to deliver the corrective actions to prevent pollution" in Portarlington. Another area of concern for the agency in Laois is Ballyroan where they say wastewater treatment must improve to protect freshwater pearl mussel habitats. Ballyroan is one of ten locations highlighted by the EPA that need attention. It says Uisce Éireann plans to begin infrastructural upgrades in Ballyroan in 2029 or 2030.

Meanwhile, Castletown has been removed from the priority list following improvement works to protect freshwater pearl mussel habitats in the area.

"Freshwater pearl mussels are critically endangered molluscs that need clean, free flowing, well oxygenated rivers and a clean riverbed. They are declining nationally and internationally due to deteriorating water quality," the report states.

 Nationally raw sewage discharges into the environment have halved since the start of last year, however the EPA has warned Uisce Éireann operated wastewater treatment plants are still being poorly managed.

Launching the report, Pat Byrne, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring said: “Targeting improvements at priority areas identified by the EPA is delivering environmental benefits. The new treatment plants built to stop discharges of raw sewage from areas such as Arklow and Kilrush are clear examples of this progress. However, delays in designing and delivering infrastructural upgrades required at many more areas are prolonging negative impacts on water quality and the wider environment. Uisce Éireann must accelerate the pace of delivery of essential upgrades at priority areas to ensure cleaner rivers, estuaries, lakes and coastal waters and support a healthier environment for all.

”Treatment at fourteen large towns and cities failed to meet basic, European wide standards set in the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Six of these met the standards in 2023, highlighting the need for Uisce Éireann to take action to prevent previously compliant treatment plants slipping into non-compliance."

Regarding the operation and maintenance of treatment plants, Noel Byrne, EPA Programme Manager, said: “Too many wastewater treatment plants are failing to meet licence standards due to poor management and maintenance practices. This is simply not good enough. When treatment plants break down or are not managed properly, our environment pays the price. The EPA has prosecuted Uisce Éireann on 28 occasions for failing to treat wastewater properly. Poor operational performance will not be tolerated by the EPA. Uisce Éireann must take immediate action to improve the operation and management of treatment plants and implement effective maintenance programmes to prevent equipment breakdowns.”