The Environmental Protection Agency has said that there is an unacceptable amount of raw, untreated sewage being released into coastal Irish waters and rivers each day.
A report from the EPA found that sewage from 77,000 people in 36 towns and villages all around Ireland is being released on a daily basis.
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.
The Urban Waste Water Treatment 2018 report states that half of the raw sewage being released each day comes from just three areas: Arklow, Wicklow; Kilmore Quay, Wexford and Cobh in Cork.
The EPA added that the pace at which Irish Water is trying to fix this problem is too slow.
Although 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 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
