On Wednesday 15 February, the European Commission decided to take Ireland to the Court of Justice of the EU for its failure to ensure that urban waste water in 38 agglomerations across the country is adequately collected and treated.
In compliance with Council Directive 91/271/EEC, towns and cities are required to collect and treat their urban waste water, to prevent risks to human health and the environment.
The agglomerations with inadequate wastewater infrastructure are: Arklow, Athlone, Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Ballincollig New, Castlecomer, Cavan, Clifden, Clonakily, Cobh, Cork City, Dundalk, Enfield, Enniscorthy, Fermoy, Gaoth Dobhair, Killarney, Killybegs, Longford, Mallow, Midleton, Monksland, Navan, Nenagh, Oberstown, Pasage/Monktown, Portarlington, Rathcormac, Ringaskiddy, Ringsend, Roscommon Town, Roscrea, Shannon Town, Thurles, Tralee, Tubbercurry, Youghal and Waterford City.
A press release from the European Court explained that the referral decision also raises additional concerns about the failure to ensure that a correct operating licence has been issued for the treatment plants serving the agglomerations of Arklow and Castlebridge. The Court said that one of the main challenges Ireland faces is maintaining the important investments required for water services, given the urgent need to invest in water infrastructure.
Member States had until the end of 2000 to ensure appropriate treatment of wastewater from large agglomerations and until the end of 2005 from small agglomerations. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)