Waste water treatment in Leitrim and Roscommon has been identified as needing urgent improvement.
The latest EPA report has warned of prolonged risks to the environment and public health if action is not taken.
The report from the Environmental Protection Agency shows 32 town and villages around Ireland are emptying approximately three Olympic size swimming pools of sewage into seas and rivers every day. Ahascragh near Ballinasloe was identified as one of these areas.
Mohill waste water treatment plant was identified among 37 other towns as a priority area to prevent waste water discharges from harming local rivers, lakes, and estuaries Ballymoe on the Galway-Roscommon border was also among these areas.
Waste water collection in Roscommon was also identified as needing urgent upgrading, as the report stated it did not meet EU standards of retention and treatment of water. The upgrades of this plant along with 5 others is estimated to cost in the region of €500m.
The EPA conclude the report by urging Irish Water to focus their 2025-2029 investment plan on protecting and improving waters most at risk from waste water discharge
