There is an effective, economical short-term solution to lead piping

I worked in Youghal waterworks for 35 years and during that time we had concerns about lead in water.

Sarsfield Terrace, an estate of 81 houses, had lead mains and services.

Tests were undertaken to see how much lead was in the water at this estate and none was found.

Why?

The reason was that the pH of the water was controlled around 7.5pH (pH determines acidity or alkalinity of water, 7 being neutral).

By keeping the pH above 7 it prevented the water from dissolving the lead.

The addition of a lime mix, and later sodium carbonate, to the water increased the pH and the river water varied between 6.3 and 6.6 — an acid water.

We did change all the services and mains in Sarsfield Terrace, with the aid of a Government grant, and also ran new earths for the electrical system to houses.

Of course Youghal Town Council was the local authority then.

Now, the question arises: If Irish Water is so concerned about the health of the people it supplies, why doesn’t it take this interim solution to the lead problem?

Raise the pH, rather than putting the fear of God into families who can ill afford to pay between €2,000 and €5,000 to change the lead in their homes.

Oliver Casey

The Mall

Youghal

Co Cork