Disappointment has been expressed after its emerged that issues surrounding waste water treatment at five areas in Clare won't be dealt with until 2019.
The Environment Protection Agency has released a new report, which shows that raw sewage is still being pumped into a number of Clare waterways.
Irish Water says a multi-million euro investment is being made to tackle the issue in the county.
Ballyvaughan, Liscannor, Kilkee, Kilrush and Clarecastle are listed among 43 locations nationally where raw, untreated sewage is flowing into waterways.
It's not the first time that issues in these areas have been highlighted, but today's report also highlights delays in addressing this matter, and indicates that it will be 2019 before works here are finished.
The EPA criticises these delays – Investment in infrastructure has dropped by 40 per cent in the last ten years and the agency says significant funding is required fif pollution and health risks are to be avoided.
Clarecastle Councillor Paul Murphy believes pressure now needs to be placed on our Government representatives to ensure a solution is found sooner rather than later:
The EPA's report also lists Ennistymon, Lahinch and Shannon as being among 29 large towns and cities around the country where EU standards are not being met.
Irish Water says it's addressing wastewater challenges by investing over 8 million euro in Wastewater Treatment facilities throughout the county.
It includes an investment of 5.2 million euro towards upgrading the Clonroadmore wastewater treatment plant, serving Ennis town, and over 3 million towards wastewater treatment facilities in Shannon.
Works are also underway to address inadequate wastewater treatment in Ballyvaughan, Kilkee, Kilrush and Liscannor.
Regional Lead for Waste Water Treatment with Irish Water, Joe Kennedy hopes those projects will progress quickly.
