EPA audit uncovers inadequate safety checks in water supply

WATER supplies serving more than 316,000 people are in danger of failing standards designed to minimise traces of two cancer-causing disinfectants.

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified 60 water schemes in 20 different counties which may not be ready for new European regulations governing the use of Bromide and Trihalomethanes.

These standards will apply from December 2008.

The agency yesterday revealed there are inadequate checks for disinfectants in the supplies serving towns including Galway city, Navan, Nenagh, Tuam, Gorey, Shannon/Sixmilebridge and Lough Mask.

Separately, the EPA found:

66 schemes providing drinking water to almost 160,000 residents had inadequate treatments for the parasite, cryptosporidium.

34 schemes serving a population of 214,000 had excessive levels of aluminum — linked to Alzheimer’s.

12 schemes had excess levels of nitrates, pesticides, arsenic and bromide.

67 schemes failed to meet the standard for e-coli in drinking water.

Excessive aluminium levels were found in supplies for 65,000 people in Limerick city and its environs.

The findings are contained in an EPA audit.

It contained recommendations on 339 separate water schemes where concerns were raised by either the EPA or the HSE.

The agency said it would begin a thorough investigation of these schemes and may take legal action toensure at-risk schemes are replaced, upgraded or their operational practices are overhauled.

“The EPA’s priority is to work to ensure a secure drinking water supply for the Irish public.”

Separately, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland published an information leaflet for businesses liable to be affected by cryptosporidium or “boil water notices”.

The authority said businesses serving food had a responsibility to rigidly oblige by any public water notices issued by local authorities.

www.epa.ie/www.fsai.ie