Untreated sewage is being dumped into the sea and rivers at 43 locations across Ireland.
That’s according to a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency which says a large number of towns and cities failed to meet EU standards by the end of 2015.
This latest report by the EPA has found that sewage treatment in Kilkenny is largely compliant and is meeting the required EU standards.
However, Tullow in Carlow is amongst those 29 large urban areas that isn’t.
It comes in under the list of supplies that have received secondary sewage treatment but failed the mandatory Chemical and Biochemical Oxygen Demands.
Irish Water say it will be 2020 before the sewage entering the river in Tullow will be up to standard.
However, the report also suggests Castlecomer, Urlingford, Rathvilly and Hacketstown have similar issues with their sewage when it comes to COD and BOD standards.
Meanwhile, Ticknock and Hacketstown are listed as areas that need improvements to the water discharges to protect fresh water mussels.
In total 1,322 tonnes of sewage was treated in Carlow last year while 1,369 tonnes was treated in Kilkenny.
