EPA releases Drinking Water Report 2013

The EPA has released its Drinking Water Report 2013. The report underlines the need for significant investment to address quality issues in water supply systems serving almost one million people. The supply of clean drinking water is crucial to Ireland’s economic future.

It is estimated that 200,000 - 250,000 Irish jobs are in water intensive industries.

Ireland has an abundance of water resources. If sustainably managed these resources can be a national asset which can continue to be used to supply drinking water to homes and business and to provide future jobs and investment.

The EPA has said 121 water supplies are at risk due to inadequate disinfection and water management systems. 

Key Findings for 2013

• 99.82 % of samples comply with microbiological parameters.
• 99.51 % of samples comply with chemical parameters.
• 40 Boil Notices and 4 Water Restriction Notices were issued, affecting 30,519 people. 
• E. coli was detected at least once in 10 supplies, up 3 on 2012.
• Trihalomethanes limit was exceeded in 61 supplies, down 35 on 2012. Public Water Supplies 97.53 % of samples comply with microbiological parameters.
• 99.57 % of samples comply with chemical parameters.
• E. coli detected at least once in 63 small private supplies , 32 private group water schemes and 1 public group water scheme.
• The microbiological quality of private supplies, while improving, remains inferior to public supplies.

 Private water supplies

• 240,718 sample results reported to the EPA.
• 429 notifications of exceedances of the standards were investigated by the EPA.
• 53 audits of public supplies were conducted by the EPA.
• 16 directions were issued by the EPA in 2013 (up from 4 in 2012).
• More than half of supplies audited required disinfection system improvements.

 Enforcement Issues

• Since 2008, the EPA has listed 449 supplies on its Remedial Action List.
• 309 were resolved at the end of 2013.
• 72 % of the original 339 listed on the RAL were removed.
• 140 supplies were on the RAL at the end of 2013. Remedial Action List
• Remove Boil Water Notices by improving disinfection standards.
• Implement a national lead strategy.
• Optimise chemical dosing and reduce THM exceedances.
• Prioritise RAL schemes for improvement / investment.
• Protect sources and abstraction points.
• Develop Drinking Water Safety Plans. 

  Strategic Issues

• Remove Boil Water Notices by improving disinfection standards.
• Implement a national lead strategy.
• Optimise chemical dosing and reduce THM exceedances.
• Prioritise RAL schemes for improvement / investment.
• Protect sources and abstraction points.
• Develop Drinking Water Safety Plans.

 Click here to download the full report