Arsenic 133 times above legal level found in Aughinish Alumina groundwater
An investigation has revealed that groundwater beneath the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Ireland contains high levels of contaminants, including arsenic and aluminium. Despite these findings, the EPA has not taken enforcement action against the company.
Why it matters
The report highlights potential environmental and public health risks, as well as concerns regarding regulatory oversight of industrial sites.
Groundwater beneath the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Co Limerick contains contaminants that are up to 4,700 times the thresholds permitted under law, an Irish Times investigation has found .
Analysis of regular groundwater testing reports submitted by the plant to the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) shows more than half of wells and streams on the site, which is located on the Shannon estuary, contain contaminated water in excess of thresholds laid out in Irish regulations.
[ Read the full investigation: ‘A ticking environmental time bomb’ – what lies beneath Aughinish Alumina Opens in new window ]
This figure has remained broadly similar going back to at least 2021. There has been a limited improvement in water conditions this year but some water sources on the 530-hectare industrial site have become significantly more contaminated since last year.
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