'Risk to public health' that raw sewage is still going into Irish waterways

There is a "risk to public health" because of raw sewage still going straight into Ireland's waterways without being treated. 

The rate at which it is happening has halved since last year but there are still 15 towns across the country that it does happen in. 

The latest report by the Environmental Protection Agency has revealed the findings. 

Noel Byrne, the Agency's Programme Manager, discussed them on RTÉ Radio One's Morning Ireland. 

He revealed that 78 areas of improvement were identified for Uisce Éireann. 

READ NEXT: REVEALED: The top three companies Irish consumers complain about the most

It also found that wastewater discharge from over half of the country's treatment plants failed to meet required standards. 

"We do need to see a step change from Uisce Éireann in  how these plants are being managed, in how they implement preventative maintenance, and if you see that, you will see actually the mount of breaches on their licenses will reduce," Noel said.

Uisce Éireann has only started work on half of those 78 recommendations and these delays in action are increasing the risks posed by untreated water. 

"In other areas, particularly ones that I feel like pressurise water quality, Uisce Éireann have been slow to progress these and that is a concern from the Agency's perspective," Noel said. 

He added that the lack of action is resulting in a lower quality of biodiversity in rivers because of reduced oxygen levels and decreased nutrients.

It can also pose a risk to public health as harmful bacteria and viruses can cause upset stomachs as well as ear, nose, and throat infections.