More Progress on Wastewater Treatment Plants Needed

IFA President Francie Gorman said that farmers and rural communities are concerned about the pace of progress to address issues from some wastewater treatment plants operated by Uisce Eireann and the impact these incidences are having on water quality, particularly within certain catchments.

“I recognise that significant progress has been made by Uisce Ėireann in recent years following years of non-investment, but the pace of progress needs to increase,” said Mr. Gorman.

He said the allocation of an additional €1bn for Uisce Éireann to support the delivery of their Capital Investment Plan for 2025-2029 in Budget 2025 is vital to deliver the plan as soon as possible.

An IFA delegation led by IFA Environment chair John Murphy met with representatives from Uisce Ėireann recently to voice concerns and get an overview of the actions being taken to improve oversight and upgrades of treatment plants as well as concerns with regards the spreading sludge on agricultural land.

“We had a constructive and open meeting with Uisce Ėireann, who acknowledge that significant investment is required to bring all treatment plants up to standard and that it would take many years for this work to be completed,” said Mr. Murphy.

He said they outlined the investment that is ongoing to bring wastewater treatment plants up to standard and the technologies being implemented, in addition to organisational restructuring to improve operational efficiencies.

“They were sympathetic to farmers concerns and encouraged farmers to report possible non-compliance issues to them, to enable them to investigate,” he said.

Mr. Gorman said that farmers are frustrated that as a sector we are under extreme time pressure to deliver results on water quality. While the State may be under similar pressure to deliver, they are being provided with realistic timelines to get their house in order.

“There must be equity in how sectors are being treated. Farmers are committed to improving water quality, to working with all parties to deliver improvements but we must be provided the time to make the necessary investments and changes.”

He concluded that it is vital that the EPA water quality analysis take account of the current deficiencies in our wastewater treatment network and that the measurement of nitrates separate out the impact of these wastewater treatment plants on water quality, particularly in analysing the eutrophic status of water bodies.