Ireland at risk of being fined over insufficient wastewater treatment

WWTP Shanbally
Ireland improved wastewater treatment in Shanbally with Nereda. Photo: RHDHV.

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After a ruling of the European Court of Justice in 2019, that found Ireland in breach with the requirements of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD), the Member State made some improvements. However, 16 agglomerations still do not comply with the rules. The EU now requires Ireland to react within two months, or it risks being fined.

In 2019 the Court found Ireland to have violated the rules in 28 agglomerations. After this ruling the Member State addressed the situation in 12 agglomerations, including the construction of the Shanbally treatment plant. However, 16 agglomerations still do not comply with the rules. Therefore, the European Commission issued another letter of formal notice to Ireland on 16 December 2024. Ireland now has two months to respond and address the shortcomings. If Ireland fails to provide a satisfactory response, the European Commission may decide to refer Ireland to court again with a request to impose financial sanctions.

Protect human health

The UWWTD aims to protect people’s health and the environment by requiring that urban wastewater is collected and treated before discharge into the environment. Towns and cities must implement the necessary infrastructure in order to collect and treat their urban wastewater. Uncollected or untreated wastewater can put human health at risk and pollute lakes, rivers, soil, coastal areas and groundwater. Ireland was required to comply with the Directive by 31 December 2005 at the latest.

Failure with Water Framework Directive

Ireland is also struggling to comply with other European water Directives. In February 2023 the country was sent to court for failing to achieve compliance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Ireland adopted the WFD in 2003 but did not legislate to regulate large-scale water abstraction from rivers and lakes for industry, commercial and other purposes.

Ireland in Court over unsafe drinking water

In 2021 the European Commission referred Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with the requirements of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD). The European Commission reported that in a number of water supply zones across the whole country, the levels of the chemical substance trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water are exceeded the parametric value established in the Drinking Water Directive. Trihalomethanes are formed as a by-product predominantly when chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water. High levels of trihalomethanes in the human body could have serious effects. Some studies have found that the chemicals may increase the risk of bladder and colorectal cancers. Other investigations have suggested that chlorination by-products might be linked to heart, lung, kidney, liver, and central nervous system damage.

Last updated: 8 January 2025

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