99% of water supplies comply with lead standards

TEST results on the country’s water supplies indicate that 99% are compliant with standards relating to the presence of lead.

Eleven local authorities have notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about non-compliance with the lead values, in relation to 23 of the 944 public water supplies, since Drinking Water Regulations were introduced in March, 2007.

Public health notices were issued regarding four of these supplies — at Mervue in Galway city, Mallow, Co Cork, Bruff, Co Limerick, and Ballintra in Donegal.

Other counties who contacted the EPA regarding lead in water supplies were Kerry, Leitrim, Wicklow, North Tipperary, Carlow, and Longford.

The EPA has already met with all local authorities this year to review the quality of their water supplies and advise them on regulations which must be followed

All councils must carry out lead surveys of their water distribution systems.

When tests show an exceedance of permitted lead levels in water, the local authority must consult with the HSE to determine if there is any potential danger to human health. They must also take action to protect consumers and the EPA must also be notified.

Remedial action can include resampling of the water and sampling of a larger area; investigating the cause of the failure; additional water treatment and pipe replacement if necessary. The EPA said yesterday that any customers with concerns supply should contact their local authority.

“In the event that appropriate action is not taken, the EPA can direct a local authority to take the appropriate action to prevent, limit, abate or eliminate the risk to human health. Failure to comply with a direction is a prosecutable offence,” the agency said.

Meanwhile, a Killarney councillor has called on Kerry County Council to assure people drinking water is safe. South Kerry Independent Alliance councillor Michael Gleeson, who has raised the issue in the past, said lead pipes were being used in older estates in Killarney and residents were concerned about water quality. He called on the council to replace lead pipes as quickly as possible.

Council director of water services Oliver Ring yesterday said lead pipes were still being used in Tralee, Killarney, Killorglin and Brosna, but only a tiny percentage of Kerry’s population was affected.

“We deal continually with the HSE about these matters and have a very good working relationship with them. It isn’t really a cause for concern,” Mr Ring said.

Lead piping was used in water schemes up to the 1970s, but the council was removing these pipes and the programme would continue until all such pipes had been replaced.