Cavan, Ballyconnell, Manorhamilton, Monksland, Roscommon and Athlone are among the 50 large urban areas that failed to meet the EU’s legally binding standards for the collection, treatment and discharge of urban waste water.
The final deadline to comply with these standards was 2005, and Ireland is being taken to the European Court of Justice for not treating waste water properly
The EPA says Ireland's failure to address these deficiencies is causing an unacceptable risk to the environment and public health.
Anne Norris spoke to EPA Inspector David Shannon about what should be done to fix the problem (broadcast 24/10/17)