EPA study critical of group water schemes
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) said water from the countyâs hundreds of private group schemes was generally unsatisfactory.
Around 294,000 people are served by such schemes while 3.5 million of the population get public supplies, which were rated satisfactory.
In its report into drinking water standards in 2005, the EPA revealed that private group water schemes had failed quality tests for the presence of bacteria but supplies had passed most checks for chemicals.
EPA bosses highlighted private schemes in Cavan, Kerry, Leitrim, Mayo, Donegal and Sligo, saying more than half were found to be contaminated with E-coli on at least one occasion in 2005.
The e-coli bug in water comes from human or animal waste but is not the E-coli parasite which causes illness, the EPA said.
Despite the findings, agency bosses insisted private schemes were improving on the back of record investment although progress was too slow.
In contrast to private schemes, the public water supplies to 3.5 million people was satisfactory and were classed as excellent in Cork city and generally good in Dublin.
The EPA said that compliance rates for water samples had improved but only because fewer tests were being carried out on poor quality water from group schemes.
Of all the tests carried out, 98.9% of samples from public water were free of E-coli while the figure was 77.5% for private supplies.
Agency bosses also used their annual report on water standards to castigate local authorities for failing to take legal action against suppliers of below-par water.
Too few checks of water suppliers were taking place with 65% of public supplies and 41% of private systems monitored inadequately or not at all.
During 2005 poor quality water led to outbreaks of a stomach bug in Carlow, Ennis and Roscommon with the public advised to boil water for drinking and food preparation.
The EPA had no figures to show how many people were affected but said âboil noticesâ were still in place in Ennis while a river in Roscommon was no longer being used as a source.
Yesterday Environment Minister Dick Roche said further legislation would be introduced to improve the quality of the countryâs water supplies.
Following criticism of improper monitoring by councils, the EPA is to get powers to work with local authorities to ensure supplies are checked regularly, he said.
Further legislation would ensure that group water supplies will be licensed by councils following the failure of privately-owned supplies to meet quality standards.
