Uisce Éireann Says 93% of Wastewater Plants Compliant, as EPA Priority List Sets Out Cork Works

Uisce Éireann has said 93% of its wastewater treatment plants are compliant with EU standards, citing the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Urban Wastewater Treatment report. An EPA priority areas list also records proposed actions for a number of Cork urban areas.

Uisce Éireann said the report highlights the progress made in 2025. It said the 2025 wastewater investment of €454.4m is an increase of more than €120m since 2020, when €333m was invested, bringing total investment since then to more than €2.5bn.

The utility said it has delivered new wastewater infrastructure, or has construction underway, in 41 towns and villages where raw sewage was being discharged to the environment. It said that during the past year it ended the discharge of raw sewage at Ballycotton and Whitegate-Aghada in Co Cork, as well as at Rathmullen, Ramelton and Arklow. In the south-west, it said the €21m upgrade of Macroom Wastewater Treatment Plant was progressed.

On the EPA priority list, improvements are recorded as completed at Clonakilty, Inchigeelagh and Rathcormac, with monitoring ongoing to assess their effectiveness. Improvements are also recorded as completed at Fermoy and Mallow, where the effectiveness of the improvements is under assessment.

Several Cork entries have proposed completion dates. A treatment plant upgrade is listed for Ballydesmond for 2027 Q4, and an upgrade of Midleton’s wastewater collecting system for 2029 Q4. Treatment plant upgrades are listed for Kanturk, Kealkill and Lombardstown for 2031, and for Cloyne for 2032.

Other Cork entries have no date yet. For Castletownroche and Mitchelstown, the proposed action is to improve the operation of the treatment plant, with a completion date required from Uisce Éireann. For Cork City, the list records an upgrade of the wastewater collecting system and an action plan to address pressure on waters at risk of pollution, which is required from Uisce Éireann. Completion dates for both are required from Uisce Éireann.

Niall Horgan, Wastewater Compliance Senior Manager, acknowledged the EPA’s concerns about operational incidents. Uisce Éireann said many of these issues are linked to the age and condition of parts of the wastewater system. Mr Horgan said:

“We have made significant progress in recent years, but we know there is more to do.”

Uisce Éireann also asked the public to help protect the network. Mr Horgan explained:

“Fats, oils, grease and other unsuitable materials can cause blockages and put additional pressure on the wastewater network.”

Customers can stay informed by checking the supply and service section of the Uisce Éireann website, checking its live feed on X at @IWCare, or signing up to receive real-time text updates. The customer care team is available 24/7 at 1800 278 278.