A new report published today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a worrying snapshot of Ireland’s water quality that requires immediate Government attention, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said:
“The EPA’s report shows there was little change in water quality indicators in 2025. Overall water quality remains unsatisfactory in many areas, with nutrients from agriculture and wastewater presenting the greatest challenge.
“Only slightly more than half (54 per cent) of our rivers and lakes were found to be in good or better biological quality, which is deeply concerning. Even where improvements were identified, these are being offset by declines elsewhere.
“With the EPA warning that Ireland will not meet its target of restoring our waters to good standards by 2027, the Government needs to rise to the challenge. This must include adopting a zero tolerance approach to repeated wastewater operational failures by Uisce Éireann.
“At the Fisheries Committee yesterday, the EPA provided some worrying statistics during a discussion on aquaculture and water quality.
“The agency’s 2025 wastewater report found that 59 per cent of Ireland’s treatment plants failed to consistently meet standards set in EPA licences to prevent pollution. Nearly half of these failures were due to poor operational management.
“As of last week, the EPA has prosecuted Uisce Eireann 35 times for failing to properly treat wastewater. Of the 505 wastewater licences issued to the utility, there were 118 breaches.
“Some of the operational issues involved pump failures due to a lack of maintenance or insufficient preventative measures. Sludge not being taken away frequently enough – a process known as desludging – also led to breaches.
“When it comes to breaches by Uisce Éireann – which have the potential to seriously pollute our waters – there appears to be no accountability. Even the prospect of a court fine does not act as a sufficient deterrent when it’s the taxpayer picking up the tab for a State agency’s shortcomings.
“The Government needs to take a zero tolerance approach to repeated operational failures by Uisce Éireann. Senior management at the company – many of whom are extremely well paid and enjoy generous bonuses – have a duty to ensure that staff are properly trained and that equipment at wastewater facilities is regularly inspected and replaced as required.
“In light of today’s EPA report on water quality, it’s time for Uisce Éireann, and the Government, to up their game.”
June 17, 2026