The Environmental Protection Agency says upgrade works to Clare's wastewater infrastructure will be completed in two years time.
It comes as a new EPA report has shown that five towns and villages in the county are among 45 areas where raw sewerage was discharged.
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency shows that Kilkee, Kilrush, Ballyvaughan, Clarecastle and Liscannor are among the areas where waste water received no treatment prior to discharge.
Shannon is also listed as one of 31 large urban areas which are non-compliant with European standards, while 24 complaints were lodged relating to an odour in the town, an issue that has since been dealt with.
The EPA is urging Irish Water to speed up improvement works on wastewater, saying that coming into contact with raw sewage can lead to gastro-intestinal issues.
EPA Inspector David Shannon says upgrade works in Clare are expected to be completed in two years.
Irish Water says it's pumping 2 billion euro into fixing sewage issues identified by the EPA across the country.
Gerry Grant from Irish Water says the company is focussing on priority areas:
The Tanaiste, meanwhile, says today's EPA report could be very damaging for the country if not dealt with.
Joan Burton says that Ireland wants a clean, green image internationally and Minister Bruton says the works are critical to our future.
