Written answers

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Water Quality

Photo of Arthur SpringArthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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290. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will advise the Health Service Executive to carry out tests on the lead content in the water supply in an areaa (details supplied) in County Kerry, in view of the fact that independent tests carried out in another area of County Kerry produced results in which the lead content was well above the EU safe limit of 10 micrograms per litre as advised in the HSE-EPA link [39110/14]

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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291. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the water quality in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39127/14]

Photo of Arthur SpringArthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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292. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the results of water testing by an independent company for lead content in the water of houses in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry, constitute that the water is unsafe to drink as advised in the Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Service Executive pamphlet and in view of the fact that the tests produced results in which the lead content was well above the EU safe limit of ten micrograms per litre; if the HSE will declare the water unfit for drinking purposes in the area and notify the energy regulator of such a decision in order that the regulator may declare that the residents of the area are not liable for water charges until the issue is resolved. [39142/14]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 to 292, inclusive, together.

With effect from 1st January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services. Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water, including Irish Water, are required to ensure that the water supplied complies with the chemical and microbiological parameters set out in the Regulations. Under the Regulations, the maximum allowable value for lead is 10 micrograms per litre. At this concentration, there is a risk of exceeding the limits where lead piping is in use for water supply and in particular where the water has been sitting in the pipe overnight.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the supervisory authority with responsibility for monitoring Irish Water’s compliance with these Regulations. In the event of non-compliance with the quality standards set out in the Regulations, the water supplier is required to investigate the cause in consultation with the EPA and, if a potential risk to human health exists, with the Health Service Executive (HSE), to ensure that the appropriate remedial action is taken. This may include the prohibition or the restriction of the supply by the water supplier. The procedures to be followed where there is non-compliance with the parameter values set out in the Drinking Water Regulations are clearly laid out in the Regulations. In a joint position paper on lead published by the EPA and HSE in 2013, it is recommended that all lead pipes and plumbing in public and private ownership should be replaced over time. The EPA and HSE also recommend that persons in premises that have lead piping should flush the supply at the kitchen tap first thing in the morning, before using for drinking.

Irish Water has informed my Department that of its estimated 58,000 kilometres of distribution system, there is a very small proportion of lead piping, consisting of approximately 190 short lengths across 14 local authorities. Irish Water is working to achieve the replacement of these pipes as quickly as possible.

However, there are a significant number of lead public service pipes between the water mains and the customer stopcock or water meter. Irish Water is identifying the location of such lead service connections during the meter installation programme. The numbers currently being identified represent about 5% of houses, but this is expected to be higher in town centre areas. Irish Water also estimates that there may be a further 30,000 to 40,000 houses with shared backyard lead service connections. Irish Water has informed my Department that it intends to invest in public lead pipe replacement schemes, primarily communications pipes, with a view to eliminating lead mains, including shared backyard service connections over the next ten years. Irish Water is also reviewing its water treatment processes to ensure that they can mitigate the risk in the short term.

The Water Services Act 2007 provides that the owner of a premises is responsible for the maintenance of the internal water distribution system and should ensure that it is kept in good order and repair, so as to prevent a risk to human health or the environment and that the water meets prescribed quality standards.

The Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that Irish Water can collect charges from its customers in receipt of water services provided by it. The Act also provides that responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The CER recently published its determination on the water charges plan submitted to it by Irish Water. In its determination t he CER has decided that where a water restriction is in place for more than 24 hours, domestic customers should receive a 100% discount on the water supply charge.

The EPA publishes an annual report on the quality of drinking water supplies in Ireland, which sets out details on the numbers of water restrictions that are in place. Copies of these reports are available in the Oireachtas library or from the EPA website (). Irish Water also publishes the results of drinking water quality sampling on its website ().

Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. They may be contacted via email at or by telephone on 1890 278 278.

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