Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 412: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to harmonise water pressure and quality for all domestic users across the country. [15411/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The EPA has statutory responsibility for supervising the quality of drinking water supplies in Ireland. Its latest report, The Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland; a report for the Years 2008-2009, indicates that the overall quality of water supplies in Ireland is high and continues to improve.

The improvement in the quality of drinking water continues to be a key element of my Department's water services capital programme. Over €5.1 billion has been invested in water services since 2000, including just over €2 billion on drinking water. My Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, provides for the commencement of contracts with a value of over €800m in relation to water supply infrastructure. This includes contracts to address deficiencies in the quality of supply, to improve the overall capacity of the system and an accelerated programme of mains rehabilitation.

The bulk of expenditure under the Rural Water Programme is targeted at improvements in the drinking water quality infrastructure in the group water sector and in minor works required to address deficiencies in public water supplies highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency.