THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Agency has warned that untreated sewage is being pumped into water systems in 42 urban areas around Ireland.

The EPA’s Urban Waste Water Report says that effluent is being sent into the water in places such as Bundoran, Cobh and Connemara.

It also says that one in three pollution incidents at plants are caused by “poor management” by local authorities.

Despite a €500 million investment in the area in the last decade, the EPA says that considerable money needs to be spent to bring Ireland up to EU standards.

44 of the 170 water treatment plants in large urban areas don’t meet EU standards, the report says.

It adds that 30 per cent of secondary waste treatment plants do not meet standards and that seven large areas don’t have  a secondary plant at all.

The report also shows that 94 per cent of Irish water is treated to a high standard, which is a three-fold increase on ten years ago.

Read: ‘Serious health hazard’ as entire town’s sewage piped into conservation area