23 breaches of lead regulations reported to EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency says it has received 23 notifications of breaches since new regulations on lead levels in water came into force last year.

The body says 11 separate local authorities reported breaches of the regulations since March 2007.

Four of these have resulted in public health notices – in Old Mervue in Galway, Bruff in Co Limerick, Ballintra in Co Donegal and Mallow in Co Cork.

Galway City Council continues to operate temporary water supplies for residents in Old Mervue due to high levels of lead contamination.

Residents in Mallow have also been told not to drink their water due to unsafe lead levels.

The EPA says it plans to review the actions being taken by local authorities around the country to deal with lead contamination.