EPA orders Irish Water to stop sludge discharge into River Blackwater from Mallow plant

EPA inspectors had found “highly coloured” water being discharged into the Blackwater from the sludge-holding tank at the Mallow plant

The EPA told Irish Water to implement an action programme to improve the sludge-handling facilities at the Mallow plant and to liaise with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to ensure any discharge was not having a negative impact on the River Blackwater. File picture: Denis Scannell

Irish Water has been ordered by the State’s environmental watchdog to immediately cease the discharge of sludge into the River Blackwater following an inspection of the wastewater treatment plant in Mallow, Co. Cork.

An audit of the drinking water supply in Mallow by officials from the Environmental Protection Agency in August found sludge arising from the treatment process at the plant was not being adequately managed.