Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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454. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to identify the presence of lead water pipes in County Wicklow; and the programme of work in place to deal with any lead pipes found. [7290/16]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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Neither I nor my Department have any responsibility for, or role in relation to, the identification, management, operation or maintenance of water services infrastructure. With effect from 1 January 2014, Irish Water is responsible for public water services and water services infrastructure including water supply pipes or drainage pipes extending from a waterworks or waste water works to the curtilage of a private property. The identification of lead in public water mains is therefore a matter for Irish Water. Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.

The Water Services Act 2007 provides that the owner of a premises is responsible for the maintenance and renewal of the internal water distribution system to ensure that water intended for human consumption meets required quality standards. Responsibility for identifying and replacing lead pipes or fittings within the property boundary therefore rests with the property owner.

On 9 June 2015, I announced a Government-approved National Strategy to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. The Strategy was prepared by my Department and the Department of Health in consultation with Irish Water, the HSE and the EPA. The roles and responsibilities of the various public and private stakeholders are set out in the Strategy, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas library.

As part of the Strategy, I have established a new grant scheme to assist low income households to replace lead pipes in their homes. Full details of the scheme, which is administered by the local authorities, is available on my Department’s website at:

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