Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and I congratulate him for his successful re-election to Dáil Éireann. As he alluded, I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the relevant Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins. I am happy to pass on the Deputy's feedback in terms of what he has just said about Uisce Éireann and his ask of that company.

The supply of public water and the provision of water services, as acknowledged by the Deputy, are matters for Uisce Éireann. Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services - planning, delivery and operation - at national, regional and local levels. Under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, no Minister has a function regarding Uisce Éireann’s specific operations, as the Deputy said. To be helpful, however, the relevant Minister and I have made inquiries to Uisce Éireann on the Deputy's behalf and the company has confirmed that it is committed to delivering safe and secure drinking water supplies for customers, and that this requires it to comply with all Irish and European Union standards relating to drinking water, in particular, the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations.

I have been informed that the water supplied from the Monroe water treatment plant is harder than the Poulavanogue treatment plant.

However, the improvement in water quality and the importance of protecting public health strongly offset any inconvenience which may result from a change in water hardness.

Uisce Éireann has advised that hard water contains high levels of natural minerals that have come from rock and soil and it is very common in Ireland’s drinking supply. Hard water does not pose any public health risk and meets the drinking water regulations. Depending on the local geology, the hardness of the water supply will vary, but such water is perfectly safe to drink. Further information on hard water and advice on how to manage it - the Deputy raised a number of concerns of businesses, in particular - is available on the Uisce Éireann website.

Uisce Éireann has a strong customer service focus through its water charges plan and customer charter, which outlines the standard of service customers should expect to receive. The water charges plan sets out a comprehensive mechanism in cases where water quality is compromised and unfit for human consumption, such as when boil water and drinking water restriction notices apply. However, the message is that this water is absolutely safe. Business customers, as the Deputy said, pay water charges and those who do so are entitled to a rebate under the customer handbook, as agreed with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, in instances where the water is unsafe. However, the implementation of the plan is a matter for Uisce Éireann. Any issues which cannot be resolved by Uisce Éireann can be referred to the CRU.

See this speech in context