Mr. Colin Byrne:

On meeting the water standard in the directive, the focus is on treatment. It is an expensive end-of-pipe solution. What the directive is trying to do - it is very much linked with Article 7 of the water framework directive - is bring the focus back to the catchment areas, from where the water comes in the first place. A current issue identified in EPA water quality reports is pesticides. A small number of water supplies have been contaminated by pesticides. Clearly, that is the result of their use in land areas in the catchment areas. Essentially, the risk-based approach is trying to determine the risks within the catchment area, identify the problems such as pesticides and determine exactly where the problems arise. MCPA, for example, is a pesticide used to control rushes in damp areas. It is a question of trying to pinpoint those areas and engage with relevant stakeholders to adopt best practice in the use of such chemicals and, in turn, protect the drinking water source.

My colleagues in the EPA and Irish Water might want to add more detail.