Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am glad of the opportunity to reassure the House and the public on a number of points relating to water quality, particularly lead exceedences in water supplies. I want the public to be assured that Irish Water is producing lead-free water. It is also producing water at an appropriate pH level to minimise the ability of water to dissolve lead. The public water network is lead-free.

The issue of lead pipes creating a potential risk to water quality arises from communication and service pipes. The communication pipe is Irish Water's responsibility and typically 10% of the total length of the service pipe. There are also incidences of lead piping in what are known as common or shared backyard services. These are often located in private gardens and, in some cases, under building extensions. The only replacement remedy is the provision of a new water main in the street, as well entirely new individual service pipes from the street to the back of each house.

Before one can disconnect the common backyard service, every property has to agree to the new connections. Irish Water has a programme to address this category, reflecting the scale and cost of the work.

Lead exceedances in water is a serious matter and Irish Water is implementing a robust and appropriate water quality monitoring programme, as required under its responsibilities as a national water services authority. This year, it will take and test 250,000 samples of water. Where an exceedance occurs, as has been identified in 31 cases this year, Irish Water notifies the customer and provides health advice from the HSE. Irish Water data suggest the problem relates to less than 5% of houses.

In addition to ensuring that mains are lead-free and implementing mains rehabilitation for backyard services, Irish Water is gaining valuable insight into the state of the network and the location of lead service connections through the domestic metering programme. Irish Water is recording the nature of the network, including lead, at every property that it is metering, thus providing important data for asset management.

The first fix scheme, details of which will be announced shortly, will provide many benefits, including vital assistance to households in tackling customer-side leakage in a speedy manner. The scheme will contribute to reducing the unacceptably high national leakage rate of 40% or more. While the first fix scheme is primarily a water conservation measure, it will also address some of the lead connection pipes on private property.

The spotlight on water quality issues is a reminder of the challenges facing our public water services sector and the need to address deficiencies relating to quality, environmental compliance and leakage. By establishing a national utility which can deliver water services efficiently and effectively and with a national approach, and by increasing investment in our water and waste water infrastructure through a more sustainable funding model for water, we can address these deficiencies and provide a secure supply of high-quality water for society and the economy into the future.

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