Uisce Eireann slammed for lack of progress on Offaly wastewater system

THE EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] has criticised Uisce Eireann for its slow progress on implementing improvement works to the wastewater system in Kilcormac.

In its latest report it says that there are no clear time frames to complete improvements or Uisce Eireann does not plan to start the upgrade until at least 2029 in Kilcormac.

It reports that progress at identifying and delivering the improvements needed to prevent pollution and protect receiving waters at 28 priority areas which includes Kilcormac is far too slow.

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''Uisce Éireann is still in the preliminary stages of designing action plans to resolve the risk of pollution at these areas and has either provided no clear time frame to complete improvements or proposes to start upgrading the infrastructure in 2029 and 2030,'' the report states.

The EPA says that Uisce Éireann has been aware of the importance of improving treatment at these priority areas since 2017 and stresses that lengthy delays in bringing these projects to construction are prolonging risks to the environment.

In 2023 the EPA prosecuted Uisce Éireann for failing to treat waste water properly at five of the priority areas that are significant pressures on surface waters. Upgrade works are due to start next year at one of these and Uisce Éireann indicated to the court that the others would be funded in the next investment plan.

''Uisce Éireann must finalise the outstanding action plans to resolve the risk of pollution at the priority areas and speed up the delivery of these plans. The resources and funding to implement these action plans should be given priority in Uisce Éireann’s upcoming investment plan (2025 to 2029) and one of the central drivers of the plan must be to resolve significant pollution pressures,'' the report.''