Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 95: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure chlorine monitors are installed at every water treatment plant in accordance with the recommendation of the Environmental Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37416/10]

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

In 2007, all water services authorities (the 34 County and City Councils) were asked by my Department to review the operation of all water treatment plants and associated infrastructure and to ensure that the installation of continuous chlorine alarms and turbidity meters at appropriate locations at the treatment plant or in the distribution network was progressed without delay. This request was restated in August 2008 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who issued a circular to water services authorities recommending the installation of chlorine monitors and alarms on each public water supply.

While in some instances, the expenditure involved in installing such monitoring equipment was eligible for funding under my Department's Rural Water Programme, under the European Communities (Drinking Water) (No.2) Regulations 2007, the EPA is responsible for the supervision of public water supplies. Under the Regulations, the EPA can issue a binding direction to a water services authority to take the relevant action to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Regulations. Failure by a water services authority to comply with such a direction can result in a prosecution by the EPA.