Enniscorthy water plant is among 38 in EU court case

A SUB-STANDARD treatment plant in Enniscorthy is one of 38 nationwide which the European Commission is planning to take Ireland to the European Court of Justice of the EU over because of the failure to ensure that urban waste water is adequately collected and treated to prevent serious risks to human health and the environment.

Under EU law, towns and cities are required to collect and treat their urban waste water. Untreated waste can put human health at risk and pollute lakes, rivers, coasts, soil and groundwater.

Water treatment in Enniscorthy is one of the areas that failed to meet the mandatory effluent standards specified in the 1991 Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. It is also considered non-compliant with the requirements of Article 3 of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which relates to the sewage network.

Asked about the threatened legal action by the Commission, the EPA said that upgrade works on the waste water treatment plant in Enniscorthy are due to commence in June, with a scheduled completion date of 2019.

This work is required to ensure compliance with the mandatory effluent standards specified in the Directive.

The EPA said that with regards to the required works on the sewage network, the due date for completion of works provided by Irish Water is 2025.

If Ireland is found to be at fault by the Court of Justice of the EU, it will be issued with a further warning to comply with the law or risk a second case being brought, which may result in a fine