Eliminating Raw Sewage
Since 2014, we have built new wastewater infrastructure for 16 towns and villages across the country, ending the discharge of raw sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas every day. Half of the raw sewage in Ireland has now been eliminated. We have a plan to remove the rest.
Our plan
34 locations throughout Ireland currently do not have sewage treatment in place. As a result, raw sewage is being discharged directly into our rivers, lakes and seas in these areas.
Irish water is committed to ending the unacceptable practice by constructing Wastewater Treatment Plants and network infrastructure to ensure that wastewater is adequately treated and meets appropriate standards before being safely discharged into the marine environment.
Benefits
When complete, this programme of works will:
- Improve water quality in our rivers, lakes and seas
- Benefit local communities, swimmers, surfers and tourism
- Safeguard human and environmental health
- Protect our marine life
- Ensure compliance with European regulatory standards
Completed Projects
| County | Project | County | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cork | Youghal Wastewater Treatment Plant | Donegal | Saint Johnston Sewerage Scheme |
| Ringaskiddy/ Crosshaven/ Carrigaline Sewerage Scheme | Dublin | Rush Town Wastewater Collection Scheme | |
| Passage West Sewerage Scheme | Galway | Kinvara Sewerage Scheme | |
| Monkstown Sewerage Scheme | Kerry | Ballylongford Sewerage Scheme | |
| Courtmacsherry/ Timoleague Sewerage Scheme | Mayo | Belmullet Sewerage Scheme | |
| Killala Sewerage Scheme | |||
| Kilmacsimon Sewerage Scheme | Waterford | Dunmore East Sewerage Scheme | |
| Donegal | Bundoran Wastewater Treatment Plant | Ardmore Sewerage Scheme | |
| Killybegs Sewerage Scheme |
Projects in the pipeline
Associated Campaigns
The works undertaken as part of this programme is embedded in Irish Water’s supports of Clean Coasts Think Before You Flush and Think Before You Pour campaigns.
These public awareness programmes raise awareness about the problems that sanitary products, cotton wipes, Fats, Oils and Grease and other items can cause to our marine environment, wildlife and our wastewater systems if they are flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink.