Eight towns and villages in the north west — all in County Donegal — are among more than 30 around the country that released raw sewage into the environment in 2020 because they did not have treatment plants.
However, Irish Water says that since its establishment, Donegal has had one of the highest levels of investment of any county in Ireland, receiving almost €300 million for upgrades since 2014
A new report by the EPA shows the eight towns and villages in Donegal are mostly in the north of the county, with one, Kilcar, in the south.
As well as Kilcar, the other towns that released raw sewage into the environment every day in 2020 were Burtonport, Falcarragh, Kerrykeel, Moville, Rathmullan, Ramelton and Coolatee.
No town in Sligo or Leitrim was listed in the EPA report, with the nearest one on the southern side being Newport in County Mayo.
Meanwhile, Irish Water has today been highlighting the work it has done.
It says in Donegal, investment in wastewater infrastructure in Bundoran, Convoy, Glencolmcille, Killybegs and Ballybofey/Stranorlar has led to improvements in water quality.
Irish Water says it’s on track to end the discharge of raw sewage in Kilcar and Kerrykeel by 2023, with work starting on the construction of two treatment plants.
The utility says it has already completed projects to end the discharge of raw sewage and improve treated wastewater quality being returned to the environment in several locations throughout the county.
They include the completion of sewerage schemes in Bundoran, Convoy, Dungloe, Glencolmcille, Glenties, Killybegs and Saint Johnston.
An upgrade to the Ballybofey-Stranorlar Wastewater Treatment Plant is also complete.
Irish Water says that in Sligo, upgrades of plants in Collooney, Ballymote, Grange, Strandhill, Tubbercurry and Ballinafad has improved coastal water quality at Rosses Point and Streedagh Beach, improved inland water quality in Owenmore River, River Moy and in Lough Arrow.
In Leitrim, Irish Water has already upgraded plants in Manorhamilton and Drumshanbo.
