Firm ‘failing to deal with lead pipes problem’

Irish Water yesterday was accused of failing to deal with the issue of water contamination from lead pipes throughout the country, as a second housing estate in Limerick had its supply blacklisted on health grounds.

On July 31, more than 400 households in Ballynanty were warned not to drink tap water due to high levels of lead in the supply.

Another 340 households in the adjoining estate of Kileely were issued with the same warning yesterday.

Irish Water has engaged Limerick City and County Council to place stand-up water dispensing pipes in the estates where residents can get uncontaminated water.

Irish Water says the problem arises from old lead pipes connecting houses to the mains.

However, Irish Water was still installing meters in other estates near Kileely and Ballynanty yesterday while the pipes causing the lead pollution remained in place.

Irish Water says it intends to replace the lead piping.

Sinn Féin councillor Maurice Quinlivan accused Irish Water of failing to deal with a nationwide problem.

He said: “Last month we had Ballynanty, today Kileely... But Irish Water seems to have embarked on a ‘slowly slowly’ strategy regarding the divulging of dangerous water supplies. Their priority seems to be to get the meters in.

“Even if you have a water supply in the new set up, you will still have to pay 50% of the cost of your supply.

“So it’s money before the health of the people. This is a scandal and Irish Water has a lot of questions to answer and can’t keep hiding.”