EU Commission taking Ireland to court for inadequate water treatment in these 38 towns and cities

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The European Commission has announced that it is taking Ireland to the Court of Justice for the EU for its failure to ensure that urban waste water in 38 agglomerations (towns, cities and settlements) across the country is adequately collected and treated to prevent serious risks to human health and the environment. Under EU law, towns and cities are required to collect and treat their urban waste water, as untreated waste water can put human health at risk and pollute lakes, rivers, soil, coastal and groundwater. The 38 agglomerations with inadequate wastewater infrastructure in Ireland are: Arklow, Athlone, Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Ballincollig New, Castlecomer, Cavan, Clifden, Clonakilty, Cobh, Cork City, Dundalk, Enfield, Enniscorthy, Fermoy, Gaoth Dobhair, Killarney, Killybegs, Longford, Mallow, Midleton, Monksland, Navan, Nenagh, Oberstown, Passage/Monkstown, Portarlington, Rathcormac, Ringaskiddy, Ringsend, Roscommon Town, Roscrea, Shannon Town, Thurles, Tralee, Tubbercurry, Youghal and Waterford City. EU member states had until the end of the year 2000 to ensure appropriate treatment of wastewater from large agglomerations (population equivalent of more than 15,000), and until the end of 2005 for discharges from medium-sized agglomerations and discharges to freshwater and estuaries from small agglomerations. An infringement against Ireland was initiated by the European Commission in September 2013, with follow-up warnings in September 2015 and September 2016. According to a recent Commission report on the implementation of EU environmental policy and law in member states, one of the main challenges Ireland faces is maintaining the important investments required for water services, given the urgent need to invest in water infrastructure. For more information on the EU Commission’s decision, check out the press release in full here.