Industrial Polluters Could Fund Clare Wastewater Infrastructure Under New EU Plan

An MEP for this region is describing new water quality laws as one of the most significant overhauls in EU policy in 30 years. The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive has been passed in the European parlaiment today and would see industrial companies financially penalised for emitting micro-pollutants. In 2021, an EPA report identified Kilkee, Clarecastle, Kilrush, Liscannor and Ballyvaughan as towns and villages that discharged raw sewerage into waterways every single day. Ireland South Fine Gael MEP and Lead Negotiator for the bill, Deirdre Clune says the plan cannot function unless local infrastructure is brought up to speed.