Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is an agreement in place in relation to the provision of a clean, potable water supply to all households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43394/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied is wholesome and clean.

Each local authority is responsible for delivering quality public water supplies to meet current and future needs in its functional area. Under the Regulations local authority drinking water supplies are subject to supervision by the EPA and each local authority is responsible for supervising the quality of private group water supplies in its functional area.

A local authority is required to ensure that any failure to meet quality standards in any water supply in its functional area is investigated immediately to determine the cause. The authority is also required to consult with the Health Service Executive (HSE). Where a local authority is advised by the HSE that a supply of drinking water constitutes a danger to public health, the local authority has powers to prohibit or restrict the supply in question or to take other action as necessary to protect human health.