Mr. Michael O'Leary:

Deputy Breathnach spoke about cloudy water, or turbidity. The new plant at Leixlip is working okay and, even with higher turbidity in the river water, it can manage where the old plant could not. This shows that the technology can manage the situation if it is put in correctly. He asked about the response in respect of Tallanstown and he said information was the key. That is correct. As soon as we were aware of the issue at Tallanstown we contacted the EPA and the HSE and emergency sampling and testing took place. It was deemed that there was no immediate risk and, after further consultation with the HSE and in light of the cryptosporidium risk, it was decided that a boil water notice should be imposed. The notice was initially for some 2,000 people and this number was reduced by the number who found alternative supplies, leaving between 500 and 600 people. We have carried out weekly cryptosporidium testing in the interim and, to date, samples have been clear.

The Deputy also asked about EPA reports. We have written to every individual customer on the remedial action list. We want to get the information out and we are fully transparent. It is not in our interests to sit on information and as soon as we know something we are happy to liaise immediately with both the EPA and the HSE.

Bottled water is part of our response to all vulnerable customers. An offer is made but very few take it up because boiling water makes it okay. Deputy Breathnach mentioned technology and referred to the use of fish in tanks. This used to have a benefit because, when river water was polluted, they would leave one tank to go to the fresher water. It was also very good for school tours but technology has moved on and it is now possible to put in monitors and sensors of raw water, which we test as it comes into plants. In Leixlip, we have continuous ammonia monitoring and any increases cause alarm bells to ring at the plant.