Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 225: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with the level of investment in the provision of adequate domestic drinking water supplies; his proposals for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4142/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 232: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken or proposes to take to prevent the possible recurrence of contamination of the domestic water supply in the future; the precise action in this regard in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4150/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 232 together.

Some €560 million has been provided for my Department's Water Services Investment Programme in 2009, the highest ever such allocation and an increase of 19% over the 2008 provision. This is a clear statement of the priority assigned by Government to the preservation and protection of our water resources, to meeting EU standards for drinking water and wastewater treatment and to providing critical water and wastewater infrastructure. It is the responsibility of the relevant local authority to deliver quality public water supplies to meet current and future needs. The quality of individual supplies is monitored by the EPA and its most recent report "The Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland — A Report for the Years 2006 and 2007" is available in the Oireachtas Library.

I have put in place a rigorous supervisory framework to ensure good quality drinking water is provided and that effective mechanisms are available to deal quickly and effectively with problems where they arise. Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007, local authority drinking water supplies are subject to supervision by the EPA and I have given the Agency the necessary resources to back up its new enforcement powers.

Under the drinking water regulations, local authorities are obliged to ensure that any failure to meet quality standards in a water supply is investigated immediately to determine the cause. The authority is also obliged to inform the EPA promptly and to consult with the Health Service Executive. Where incidences of contamination occur, the EPA can issue such directions to the local authority as necessary to prevent or remove any health risk. Failure to comply with such a direction is an indictable offence and subject to heavy penalties.

I am satisfied that the policies and resources in place will ensure that our water supplies are capable of meeting the required quality standards and current and anticipated demands.