E.coli ‘in third of private wells’

Almost one third of private wells in Ireland are contam inated by E.coli from human and animal waste, making the water unsafe to drink.

The findings are highlighted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to raise awareness of the health risks.

Ireland has the highest number of Verotoxigenic E.coli (VTEC) — a particularly nasty form of E.coli, and the HSE said the number of cases was increasing.