More Progress on Wastewater Treatment Plants Needed – IFA

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IFA President Francie Gorman has stated that farmers and people living in rural areas have expressed concerns over the progression of discussions on issues relating to the impact of incidences in wastewater treatment plants run by Uisce Éireann on water quality.  

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

He said the additional €1 billion given to Uisce Éireann for their Capital Investment Plan 2025 – 2029 needed to be used to deliver the plan as quickly as possible. An IFA delegation led by Environment Chair John Murphy met with representatives of Uisce Éireann to make concerns of their members known and obtain information on what is being done to improve oversight and upgrade wastewater treatment facilities. Concerns were also raised by the IFA delegation regarding spreading sludge on agricultural land.  

“We had a constructive and open meeting with Uisce Éireann, 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. 

Mr. Murphy said they highlighted the ongoing investment to bring wastewater treatment plants up to modern standards and new technologies that are being implemented. He also outlined the organisational restructuring taking place to improve operational efficiency.  

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 referred to the frustration felt by farmers who are under immense pressure to meet their water quality targets and while the State have similar targets to meet, they have been given a much more realistic timeframe in which to take measures to achieve these targets.  

“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.” 

Concluding his statement the IFA President said that it is crucial that the Environmental Protection Agency are considerate of the current shortfalls in the wastewater treatment network and that measurement of nitrates separate the impact of these shortfalls on water quality when analysing the eutrophic status of bodies of water.  

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