New wastewater facility opened in Ireland

A new wastewater initiative costing 29 million euros (£25.4 million) has been launched in Ireland.

The official opening of the Sligo Town Wastewater Treatment Scheme was presided over by Michael Finneran, minister for housing and local services, who said it will be of major benefit to Sligo and the surrounding area.

Currently providing water treatment for 50,000 residents, it is hoped that the facility will be expanded in the future.

The plant was designed to ensure that the town's wastewater meets the strict standards of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

"It reflects the government's ongoing commitment to preserving and protecting our water resources as a key element of environmental policy, to meeting EU standards for drinking water and wastewater treatment and to putting critical infrastructure in place," Mr Finneran added.

In other Irish news, the country recently launched a new initiative aimed at cutting down on the amount of waste exported overseas for recycling.