Sewage from 77,000 people in 36 towns and villages all around Ireland is being released into Irish waters every day, according to a new report.
The Environmental Protection Agency has revealed there is an "unacceptable" amount of raw, untreated sewage entering coastal waters and rivers on a daily basis.
The Urban Waste Water Treatment 2018 report states that half of the raw sewage being released comes from just three areas: Arklow, Wicklow; Kilmore Quay, Wexford and Cobh in Cork Dublin Live reports.
Waste water is one of the main threats to water quality and the EPA has said that it poses a risk to the health of the public.
It added that the pace at which Irish Water is trying to fix this problem is too slow.
While the report showed a slight improvement on 2017, 21 out of 169 large towns and cities did not meet national and EU standards in 2018.
The EPA has also urged Irish Water to improve information on the condition and performance of public sewers across the country to help focus upgrade works where they are most needed.
The 36 towns and villages outlined in the report are:
- Howth (Doldrum Bay)
- Avoca
- Arklow
- Arthurstown
- Kilmore Quay
- Ballyhack
- Duncannon
- Ballycotton
- Whitegate - Agada
- Cobh
- Timoleague
- Castletownshend
- Castletownbere
- Inchigeelagh
- Kilrush
- Glin
- Foynes
- Kilkee
- Clarecastle
- Liscannor
- Ballyvaughan
- An Spidéal (Spiddal)
- An Cheathrú (Carraroe)
- Roundstone
- Ahascragh
- Newport
- Killala
- Kilcar
- Burtonport
- Falcarragh
- Kerrykeel
- Rathmullan
- Ramelton
- Moville
- Coolatee Housing Scheme
- Omeath
Commenting on the report Dr Tom Ryan, Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said: "We are seeing repeated delays in providing treatment for many areas and it is not acceptable that 13 towns and villages will still have no waste water treatment by the end of 2021. Irish Water must speed up its delivery of key infrastructure.”
