Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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17. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions he has had with Irish Water regarding the progress that is being made on lifting boil water notices and drinking water restriction notices from water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3536/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Under the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library, suppliers of drinking water are required to ensure that the water supplied complies with the chemical and microbiological parameters set out in the Regulations. The procedures to be followed and the roles of water suppliers, the EPA and the HSE where there is non-compliance with the parametric values set out in the Schedules to the Regulations, are clearly laid out in the Regulations. Neither I nor my Department have any role in monitoring or supervising the delivery of water services.

The EPA’s Drinking Water Report 2013highlights the current situation where 23,297 people are required to boil their water before drinking. Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure. Irish Water has stated that it has prioritised the elimination of boil water notices and has accelerated investing to accomplish this. Irish Water has published its Proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2016 and this is available on the Irish Water website ; the relevant weblink will be circulated with the official Report. ()

The plan outlines a number of priorities to be delivered including improving water quality, tackling leakage, improving capacity and investing for economic development and it identifies where Irish Water considers investment in infrastructure is necessary for the effective performance of its functions. This includescompliance with Water Framework Directive requirements, improving sewage treatment and collection infrastructure in accordance with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, responding to judgments of the European Court of Justice and achieving environmental and public health objectives arising from various regulations and EPA reports dealing with water quality.

In the case of County Roscommon specifically, I understand that in 2014 and 2015, Irish Water will spend almost €20 million on 6 new plants in the county, which will remove over 17,000 people from boil water notices by next April.  In addition, I understand that a further major scheme for north-east Roscommon is at tender and scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016, providing a modern high quality supply for 6,000 people currently on boil water notices.