Forests and role in better water

WATER will be on people’s minds until early 2014, at least, when they become liable for water charges. But, is it not time to examine news ways of enabling nature to provide safe, drinkable water?

Recent problems in the main treatment plant for Dublin and surrounding areas highlighted the sort of difficulties that can arise. Our public supplies, on which more than 80% of the population depends, are treated with chemicals to purify water.

Providing 1.6 billion litres of drinkable water for the country each day is extremely expensive. In some private rural schemes, often sourced from wells, water has been found to be contaminated with human and animal waste, but the overall quality of water in public schemes is of a high standard, we’re assured by the authorities.