James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures being taken to eliminate the risks of cryptosporidium in the country's water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25684/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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On 17 September 2007, when publishing the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009, I outlined the measures being taken by my Department, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to develop a systematic and accelerated response to the cryptosporidium risk, as well as to persistent E-Coli failures, in public water supplies. These measures include a new contingency funding arrangement to deal with priority infrastructural upgrades.

My Department and the EPA are examining the latest drinking water quality results with a view to cataloguing those supplies at greatest risk from cryptosporidium and also supplies that are subject to continuing E-Coli or other chemical exceedences. This analysis is expected to be completed within the next few months. The objective is to develop an action programme that identifies an appropriate solution in each case. This may involve, inter alia, abandoning or replacing sources, upgrading treatment facilities or improving operational and maintenance arrangements. The contingency funding arrangement will apply where infrastructural works are urgently required that have not already been provided for in the current or previous phases of my Department's Water Services Investment Programme. The EPA will oversee implementation of any necessary remedial actions as part of its enhanced supervisory function under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations (No. 2), 2007 (S.I. No. 278 of 2007).

In the immediate term, local authorities have been asked by my Department to review the operation of all water treatment plants (and associated infrastructure) to ensure that the installation of continuous chlorine alarms and turbidity meters at appropriate locations at the treatment plant or in the distribution network (including at reservoirs) is progressed without delay. Authorities have also been asked promptly to complete and return an amended Cryptosporidium Risk Assessment to the EPA. Reliable risk profiling of individual schemes will be available following completion of the joint Departmental/EPA examination referred to above and submission of amended Cryptosporidium Risk Assessments by all local authorities.