Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which is one of serious local concern, as he quite rightly pointed out. Certainly it needs resolution.

The Deputy appreciates that the operation of the Galtee regional water supply scheme is a matter for Irish Water, which, since 1 January 2014, has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local level. In turn, the Environmental Protection Agency, as environmental regulator, is responsible for setting quality standards and enforcing compliance with EU directives and national regulations for the provision of drinking water. However, from inquiries the Department has made with Irish Water, I understand that a precautionary boil water notice for the area supplied by the Galtee regional water supply scheme was issued, as the Deputy said, in October 2019 following consultation between Irish Water, Tipperary County Council and the HSE.

The notice was issued after scheduled network testing identified low chlorine levels in the area between Kilfeakle, Golden and Thomastown, caused by the age of the pipe network in this area. Irish Water, in partnership with Tipperary County Council, undertook remedial works to improve the water quality, including the installation of automatic flush valves and a chlorine booster station in Thomastown. These initial works allowed the boil water notice to be lifted from half the affected area at the start of this year.

Further remedial works are now under way to resolve the remaining disinfection issues in the public supply. The water quality will continue to be monitored over the coming weeks to determine whether these remedial measures have been successful. Once the monitoring results verify the satisfactory residual chlorine levels and that the drinking water quality is in compliance with drinking water regulations, Irish Water will consult the HSE to determine whether the boil water notice can be lifted.

The Department's priority is to ensure that people's health is protected and that adequate water is available for personal hygiene and the washing of hands during the Covid-19 pandemic. We all want to see this notice lifted without undue delay, but only when Irish Water has completed the necessary work and both the HSE and the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, have confirmed the water supply is safe once again. Irish Water, along with the relevant authorities, is working to resolve this issue as soon as possible and has advised affected customers to continue to boil water before use to ensure the protection of their health. Additional information and advice on boil water notices is available on Irish Water's website or by calling Irish Water's 24-hour customer care line.

Both our water and our wastewater systems require substantial and sustained investment. In support of this, the Government has committed to ambitious funding of Irish Water's capital investment plans for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure on a multi-annual basis and plans to deliver the €8.5 billion funding package committed to in Project Ireland 2040.

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