Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
389. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the proposals from Uisce Éireann to upgrade Ringsend water treatment plant, including a detailed timeline for this and how it will impact on the protection of the bathing waters in Dublin Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31101/23]
View answerUisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects are a matter for Uisce Éireann, and are approved through its own internal governance structures.
Uisce Éireann is investing over €500 million in the upgrading of Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant, which treats over 40% of Ireland’s wastewater. This major upgrade of a “live” operational plant has been progressing on a phased basis and will reduce the total pollutant load being emitted into Dublin Bay. The project will provide new capacity to treat the wastewater for a population equivalent of 2.1 million while achieving the standards of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive by the end of 2023, and up to a population equivalent of 2.4 million by end 2025. Uisce Éireann has also upgraded the sewer network within key catchments and is continuing to plan and execute improvements right across the system.
On bathing water, the quality of Ireland's designated bathing waters continues to improve nationally, with 97% of the 148 identified bathing waters meeting or exceeding the minimum required standard. The primary responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of bathing water quality is assigned to local authorities under the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 79/2008), as amended. Section 15 of these regulations sets out the requirement for local authorities to implement timely and adequate management measures to prevent pollution when they are aware of an adverse impact on bathing water quality.
In respect of the protection of water quality in Dublin Bay, protecting bathing water is a multifaceted issue of which wastewater discharges from Ringsend are one part. The latest information suggests that potential sources of pollution also includes combined sewer overflows; unauthorised misconnection to surface water drainage sewers; faeces from dogs and birds; and contaminated surface water. The Dublin Bay Task Force, chaired by Dublin City Council, is carrying out work aimed at improving bathing water quality in the Dublin Bay area and my Department is currently working directly with local authorities to examine the most suitable options to provide for safe bathing year-round and to improve the provision of information on bathing water quality.
