Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

This matter relates to an April 2007 incident of phenol-contaminated drinking water in five group schemes in counties Cavan and Monaghan. It was discovered following complaints by consumers of private water supply schemes about a bad taste and odour. The water was contaminated with phenol by an aluminium chloride product that, according to a HSE report, "was not recommended for use in the treatment of drinking water and was suitable only for waste water treatment". Of the nine group schemes to which such a product was supplied, five were found to have been contaminated.

I welcome the HSE's findings. As phenol is unpalatable at low levels, the HSE found that consumption of water in harmful quantities was unlikely. I commend the work of the HSE and Cavan and Monaghan county councils in response to the incident and in drafting their reports. Cavan County Council pointed out that, had it not been for the unpalatable nature of the phenol, "the health of a large number of consumers could have been compromised". The HSE and the councils found that the water was unfit for human consumption.

This type of incident could recur, although the contaminant might not be as unpalatable as phenol — even phenol carries health risks. There could be a detrimental impact on human health. According to the HSE, greater priority must be given to protection of the consumer. We must ensure that we avoid such incidents in future and that the local authorities and the HSE are empowered and armed to deal with them as efficiently as possible. Much work has been done in respect of private group water schemes under the design, build and operation programme, but safeguards must be put in place. The schemes are private and, while they are monitored by local authorities, there is no Government oversight.

Much work has been invested in the reports, a number of the recommendations in which require Government action, particularly by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Legislation must be introduced and the councils and the HSE must be properly staffed and resourced if we are to ensure good quality drinking water. The HSE recommends that a national agency, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, should be empowered to actively oversee the management of chemical incidents, particularly where more than one local authority is involved. This would require Government action. Monaghan County Council recommends that the EU drinking water regulations be amended to require the immediate notification of the supervising authorities and-or the HSE by contractors or operators of water schemes in the event of a water quality incident that could affect human health. Both councils identified a problem in assessing suitably accredited laboratories in Ireland and the UK to appropriately test samples. Cavan County Council recommends that there be a central laboratory. All the reports identify and highlight the need for stronger standards regarding the procurement and use of chemicals intended for use in the treatment of drinking water. There are also the difficulties presented by the staff recruitment embargo imposed by the Government. That was highlighted in the Monaghan County Council report which recommended a review of staffing levels to determine what additional resources are needed by local authority water services departments to deal with their day to day duties as well as with this type of incident. All reports identify the need for stronger powers to seize and retain evidence.

The report from Monaghan County Council pointed out that the exact nature and cause of the coagulant contamination remain to be established. The Government must monitor this. It is important that the report's recommendations are acted upon by the Minister and his Department. There are lessons to be learned from the work carried out by the three authorities concerned.

Will the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, or the Minister of State meet the HSE and the two county councils? Will action be taken to bring in the necessary legislation? Will the water services departments gain more staff?

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