Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me and Deputy Tuffy to raise this matter. It is a serious issue affecting not only County Louth but other areas throughout the State. We must have an immediate response from all local authorities. All houses and estates constructed before 1970 must be investigated for lead contamination of the water supply.

In regard to County Louth, we heard today that there are problems in regard to ten locations. The truth, however, is that 25 responses, from 20 separate locations, show an excessive level of lead in the water supply. I understand the local authority has been forced by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to examine the data from four years ago. The figures were there but no action was taken until now. The towns of Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee and the villages of Clogherhead and Omeath are among the contaminated areas.

It is an extremely serious situation, with some of the figures indicating a remarkably high level of contamination. I understand the highest level identified is 99 units, which is four times the legal limit of 25. In the case of Galway, specific instructions were given to the local authority by the EPA, with the latter insisting on legal enforcements if they were not carried out. It is disgraceful and appalling that a local authority is being forced by the EPA to do the work it should have done in any case.

The key issue now is how to resolve the problem. There are two doing ways of doing so. The best way, and the final solution, is to replace all the lead pipes. The second way, the interim solution, is to use phosphate irrigation which would coat the pipes so that lead cannot enter the water supply. Whatever is done must be done immediately. Local authorities must act and be seen to act. Louth County Council must be given all necessary moneys to fund these important actions which must be taken to protect public health. Children and the unborn babies of pregnant women are particularly susceptible to the serious effects of chronic lead poisoning over a period of time. We must act now.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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I hope the Minister of State's response will deal with the general situation as well as the specific case of County Louth. What steps is the Department taking to deal with the problem of excessive lead levels in water supplies throughout the State? I understand 11 local authorities have reported problems to the EPA. The latter has indicated that the standards regarding acceptable levels will become stricter in the future, so the problem may get worse and affect even more local authorities.

I understand works are to be carried out in Galway and Mallow. Will similar works be undertaken in the other 11 local authority areas? What support is the Department providing to the local authorities? Do they have the necessary funding, staff and expertise? Reports indicate there was a delay in communicating some of the information from Galway City Council to the EPA. I am not familiar with the background to this. Is information being communicated quickly enough to the EPA? If not, is action being taken by the agency or is there a requirement for the legislation to be strengthened in this regard?

This is a nationwide problem which we must address over time. There is also the issue of householders in private homes. I presume local authorities may also have to replace the pipes in individual homes owned by them. The Department must oversee a national strategy for implementation by the EPA and the various local authorities.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputies O'Dowd and Tuffy for raising this Adjournment matter. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley.

I understand five water supplies in County Louth have been identified by the EPA as having elevated lead levels in the water distribution system and that the agency notified Louth County Council of this last Tuesday. The council advised the Health Service Executive of the situation yesterday and representatives of the two bodies are meeting today to discuss any follow-up actions required. I understand the council has already contacted affected households and commercial premises.

We have in place a rigorous supervisory framework to ensure good quality drinking water is a primary goal for county and city councils and that effective mechanisms are in place to deal quickly and effectively with problems where they arise. Local authority drinking water supplies are subject to supervision by the EPA, which has the necessary resources to follow through with its new enforcement powers. Each local authority is required to ensure that any failure to meet quality standards in its water supplies is investigated immediately, to inform the EPA promptly and to consult with the HSE. Where incidences arise, the EPA can issue appropriate directions to the local authority to prevent or remove any health risk. Failure to comply with a direction is an indictable offence and subject to heavy penalties.

Under the EPA's published guidance, where non-compliance is caused by the interaction of water with a local authority's pipe work and fittings, the authority is required to take action to secure restoration of water quality either by replacing the affected pipe work or providing additional treatment to prevent or remediate the adverse effect on water quality. Where non-compliance is caused or contributed to by a consumer's pipe work and fittings, the local authority is required to advise the consumer on action to be taken to reduce exposure. The HSE advises that, from a public health perspective, the risk to those affected from raised water lead levels depends on a number of factors, including the duration of exposure, the level of exposure, age and other characteristics which affect the individual's absorption of lead.

If a main water distribution pipe in an area is constructed of lead, the HSE's advice is that it is not safe to drink the water or use it for cooking until further notice. Boiling the water will not make it safe as it does not remove the lead. Residents, especially children under six, pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy, should use boiled water drawn from the water supply tanks provided by the local authority, or bottled water, for drinking. Infant formula should also be prepared with boiled water from the tanks in the area or suitable bottled water. Suitable bottled waters include brands with a sodium content of less than 20 mg per litre.

Where the main distribution pipe is not made of lead, and the problem relates to lead pipes connecting individual households to the mains pipe and internal lead plumbing, the advice is that if a home was built or modernised since 1970 it is unlikely that there are any lead pipes on the property. Pregnant women and carers of children under six who live or stay in houses built before 1970 should flush the pipes as a precaution. To do this, the cold water kitchen tap should be run to fill the sink, particularly first thing in the morning, or if the water has been unused in the pipes for longer than six hours. Tap water can be used until further notice. Tap water is safe for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, and washing dishes and clothes even if homes have lead service pipes.

In County Louth, arising from consultations with the HSE and the EPA, the local authorities' priorities will be to clarify fully what areas are affected, introduce additional water treatment that would eliminate the leaching effect from old lead pipes, and implement permanent pipe replacement measures, where appropriate, as quickly as possible.