The EPA recently released its report on local authority environmental enforcement activities for 2019.
The EPA has seen an increase in both the numbers of inspections and enforcement actions taken by local authorities since 2018, with the bulk of these relating to waste and litter.
Local authorities also managed a substantial volume of environmental complaints during the year. These, again, related predominantly to waste issues.
The EPA found that local authorities are taking account of national enforcement priorities in implementing their work “which is welcome, however, additional focus is needed in both air enforcement and water protection”.
More action needed
Commenting on the findings of the report, Dr. Tom Ryan, director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, said:
“This expert-led report, Expanding Ireland’s Marine Protected Area Network, comes at a critical time for Ireland. Decades of poor planning and under investment in our marine and coastal areas have resulted in unsustainable outcomes for our marine environment and the coastal communities that depend on it.”
Sewage enters Shannon estuary - Irish Water failing to treat waste water to EU standards
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THE RECENT EPA report on Urban Waste Water Treatment highlights that “delays in upgrading treatment systems around the country are prolonging risks to the environment and public health”.
Raw sewage from 35 towns and villages flows into our environment every day.
The two areas in County Limerick are Foynes and Glin. Dr Tom Ryan, director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, said “raw sewage discharges pose an unacceptable risk to the environment and public health”.
“Two years ago, Irish Water advised it would provide necessary treatment infrastructure by the end of 2021 for 30 of the 35 areas discharging raw sewage. It has now revised this down to just two areas, resulting in significant delays in bringing projects to completion.