Independent Ireland has accused the Environmental Protection Agency of “standing idly by” as sewage leaks into pristine West Cork rivers.
The party’s leader, Michael Collins, has introduced a bill that would mandate Uisce Éireann to begin repair work on wastewater leaks or discharges within one month of detection.
Deputy Collins said his constituents deserve far greater accountability from Uisce Éireann, given the large sums of money the organisation is seeking.
In last year’s budget, funding to Uisce Éireann was increased by 29% to spend on water infrastructure and facilitate housing development.
“And what are we getting for that?” Deputy Collins said on Newstalk Breakfast.
“We have communities that have raw sewage going into the clean rivers, we have burst millions of water pipes in communities and no accountability.
“No one knows when they're going to be repaired.”
Untreated sewage in Dublin Bay in 2020. Picture by: Alamy.com.The Cork South West TD urged the Environmental Protection Agency to be more proactive when leaks are reported.
“And I'm looking at this in my own constituency and every other constituency throughout the country; the EPA seems to be standing idly by,” he said.
“They fined Uisce Éireann €26,000 in 2024 from Macroom to Milton Abbey in County Clare and Shannon Vale in Clannachilty for leaks.
“I know of six communities in West Cork in my own constituency that have raw sewage going into their clean rivers for the past 20 something years and no fines being applied.”
Raw sewage being discharged into the sea. Picture by: Alamy.com.At the very least, Deputy Collins added, communities should be given estimates on when repair work will take place.
“Every community has a right to know whether it is five years, 10 years, 15 or 20 years that their local wastewater treatment tank will be repaired and they won't be leaking into their clean rivers,” he argued.
“One community in West Cork, they had 14 water leaks and another one, the 15th, since last July, burst water pipes.
“They don't know when the water pipes are going to be replaced, they don't know when the next break is going to be.
“It's just repair, walk away, repair, walk away. So communication is going to be a huge issue here.”
The EPA has been contacted for comment.
Main image: A split of Micheal Collins and a polluted river. Pictures by: Alamy and RollingNews.
