North Cork Creameries has confirmed a "discharge of treated wastewater" from its waste water treatment facility, "additional to usual levels", at its Kanturk dairy processing facility.

The discharge was identified by the co-op last Sunday (June 22).

In a statement issued to Agriland North Cork Creameries said: "On inspection of the nearby waterway, it is our understanding that this has not been adversely affected, and we are carrying out tests to confirm this is the case.

According to North Cork Creameries there have been "no further emissions of wastewater beyond normal levels".

North Cork Creameries also told Agriland that it has "comprehensive environmental protection systems in place and has invested very significantly in these systems over the past number of years".

"The co-operative is committed to environmental sustainability and protection throughout the entirety of its operations," it added.

North Cork Creameries processes an estimated 315 million "equivalent whole milk litres a year" according to the co-op. One of its major customers is Ornua.

The co-op was established in 1928 and claims to operate "one of the most modern and efficient milk drying facilities in Ireland".

Last year the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) identified “compliance issues” at the creamery in Kanturk in Co. Cork which is operated by the North Cork Co-operative Creameries Limited.

The EPA had included North Cork Co-op Creameries Limited on its list of National Priority Sites for quarter three (Q3) 2024.

The National Priority Sites list is used by the EPA to target its enforcement effort “at the poorest performing sites in order to drive improvements in environmental compliance”.

The EPA’s National Priority Sites list for quarter one 2025 was released earlier this year and currently includes three sites from the chemical, food and drink and AD sectors.