Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Irish Water is going to have responsibility for foul sewers, while local authorities will retain responsibility for storm sewers. Mr. Grant who is a former county manager will know what I am getting at in this instance. An issues arises in this regard in that the foul and storm sewers in many towns and cities are mixed. A problem which immediately arises in the context of works relates to circumstances where foul sewers run into storm sewers. Where a storm sewer runs into a foul sewer, a different problem arises. Has this matter been teased out with the local authorities? I do not know in how many towns problems such as those to which I refer would not arise. Many foul and storm sewers are combined, even in estates built less than 20 years ago. They remain combined, even under main streets that were redeveloped, and foul material from hotels and public houses continues to run into the storm drain system. Is Irish Water putting in place measures that will lead to the two systems being separated?