12/09/2017
Very High Compliance In Safety Of Drinking Water Supply - EPA
The majority of Ireland's water supply meets a very high level of compliance but further improvements are necessary to improve the security of supplies and avoid water restrictions, according to the EPA Drinking Water Report.
The key findings of the report, published today, include:
• 99.9% of samples comply with the microbiological standards
• 99.5% of samples comply with the chemical standards
• 41 Boil Water Notices were put in place during 2016, affecting more than 84,000 people.
• There are 87 "at risk" supplies on the EPA Remedial Action List:
• 58 of these supplies have elevated levels of Trihalomethanes
• 25 of these supplies lack adequate treatment to prevent Cryptosporidium entering the water supply.
Commenting on the report, Director of the EPA's Office of Environmental Enforcement, Gerard O'Leary, said: "While the removal of long-term boil water notices in supplies like the Whitegate Regional Supply in Cork and Loughrea public water supply in Galway in 2016 was welcome, there remains over 3,600 people on a Boil Water Notice today. The EPA has identified supplies serving over 700,000 consumers where improvements to water treatment infrastructure are necessary to meet public health standards."
Kerry, Cork and Donegal account for almost half of the "at risk" supplies identified by the EPA. The report states that action programme dates set out by Irish Water to improve 24 "at risk" supplies have slipped.
Commenting on threats to drinking water quality such as Cryptosporidium, E. coli and Trihalomethanes (THMs), Darragh Page, Senior Drinking Water Inspector, Office of Environmental Enforcement, said: "While the incidence of E. coli in public water supplies continues to decrease, the current challenge is to reduce the levels of other pollutants in public water supplies across the country, particularly THM, and pesticides. The number of supplies reporting THM failures remains high, and a consistent national approach must be adopted to ensure that pesticides are prevented from entering our drinking water sources. We have also identified 25 supplies that require adequate treatment to prevent Cryptosporidium entering the water supply."
(MH)
The key findings of the report, published today, include:
• 99.9% of samples comply with the microbiological standards
• 99.5% of samples comply with the chemical standards
• 41 Boil Water Notices were put in place during 2016, affecting more than 84,000 people.
• There are 87 "at risk" supplies on the EPA Remedial Action List:
• 58 of these supplies have elevated levels of Trihalomethanes
• 25 of these supplies lack adequate treatment to prevent Cryptosporidium entering the water supply.
Commenting on the report, Director of the EPA's Office of Environmental Enforcement, Gerard O'Leary, said: "While the removal of long-term boil water notices in supplies like the Whitegate Regional Supply in Cork and Loughrea public water supply in Galway in 2016 was welcome, there remains over 3,600 people on a Boil Water Notice today. The EPA has identified supplies serving over 700,000 consumers where improvements to water treatment infrastructure are necessary to meet public health standards."
Kerry, Cork and Donegal account for almost half of the "at risk" supplies identified by the EPA. The report states that action programme dates set out by Irish Water to improve 24 "at risk" supplies have slipped.
Commenting on threats to drinking water quality such as Cryptosporidium, E. coli and Trihalomethanes (THMs), Darragh Page, Senior Drinking Water Inspector, Office of Environmental Enforcement, said: "While the incidence of E. coli in public water supplies continues to decrease, the current challenge is to reduce the levels of other pollutants in public water supplies across the country, particularly THM, and pesticides. The number of supplies reporting THM failures remains high, and a consistent national approach must be adopted to ensure that pesticides are prevented from entering our drinking water sources. We have also identified 25 supplies that require adequate treatment to prevent Cryptosporidium entering the water supply."
(MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 June 2015
Irish Water Confirm Four Options To Address Supply Issues
Four options have been put forward by Irish Water in an effort to address supply issues in Dublin and the eastern region. According to reports, three of the options involve taking water from the River Shannon, alongside a fourth to build a desalination plant in north Co Dublin.
Irish Water Confirm Four Options To Address Supply Issues
Four options have been put forward by Irish Water in an effort to address supply issues in Dublin and the eastern region. According to reports, three of the options involve taking water from the River Shannon, alongside a fourth to build a desalination plant in north Co Dublin.
27 May 2016
Irish Water Must Not Bill Homes With Boil Water Notice - SF
Householders living in areas with a boil water notice must not be billed by Irish Water, Sinn Féin TD for Cork East, Pat Buckley, has said.
Irish Water Must Not Bill Homes With Boil Water Notice - SF
Householders living in areas with a boil water notice must not be billed by Irish Water, Sinn Féin TD for Cork East, Pat Buckley, has said.
23 September 2022
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
16 February 2016
Irish Water To Invest €3.5m In Mid Kerry Upgrades
Irish Water has announced an investment of €3.5 million to upgrade the water distribution network of mid Kerry. In partnership with Kerry County Council, the work includes the replacement of almost 20km of water mains that have been subject to frequent bursts.
Irish Water To Invest €3.5m In Mid Kerry Upgrades
Irish Water has announced an investment of €3.5 million to upgrade the water distribution network of mid Kerry. In partnership with Kerry County Council, the work includes the replacement of almost 20km of water mains that have been subject to frequent bursts.
12 May 2015
Irish Water Urged To Scrap Meter Plan For Pipe Replacements
Sinn Féin has called on Irish Water to use the money intended to install water meters in Galway to replace lead pipes and "other faulty infrastructure".
Irish Water Urged To Scrap Meter Plan For Pipe Replacements
Sinn Féin has called on Irish Water to use the money intended to install water meters in Galway to replace lead pipes and "other faulty infrastructure".
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and bright start to the day. However, it will soon become cloudy with heavy showers or longer spells of rain spreading east. Strengthening westerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Outbreaks of heavy rain will soon clear east in the evening followed by clear spells and scattered showers. Strong northwesterly winds, with coastal gales, easing overnight. Minimum temperature 3 °C.