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FOR FIVE years the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has complained about a lackadaisical approach by local authorities to the production of safe drinking water and the prevention of pollution by badly run sewage works. But little has changed. While the law details offences and penalties for water pollution, the prosecution of individual officials simply does not happen. Responsibility always lies within the system. If the health of the public is to be protected, that situation can no longer be tolerated. We must put personal accountability at the heart of a new-style society.

Modern sewage and water treatment works will, of course, be required. And necessary investment is continuing because of pressure from the EU Commission. It will be a slow process because of a huge backlog and one for which council officials cannot be faulted. But what the EPA has consistently complained about does not involve the expenditure of billions of euro: it requires proper management oversight and the training of staff in the operation of existing treatment plants.