Drinking Water Report 2013

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Monitoring, Analysing and Reporting

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for on the Environment
protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset • Monitoring air quality and implementing the EU Clean Air
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 © Environmental Protection Agency 2015

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acknowledged.

Drinking Water Report 2013

Authors: Yvonne Doris, Cliona Ni Eidhin, Nigel Hayes, Brendan Wall, Darragh Page, Derval Devaney,
Aoife Loughnane, David Flynn and Gerard O’Leary.

The authors would also like to thank Ruth Barrington, Niall Dunne, John Doheny and Jane Brogan for their
assistance.

Published by the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland

Environmental Protection Agency

An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil

P.O. Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford, Ireland

Telephone: +353 53 9160600 Fax: +353 53 9160699

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.epa.ie

LoCall: 1890 335599

ISBN: 978-1-84095-573-6

 
 
  

Contents  
Key  Findings  for  2013  ....................................................................................................................................  1  
Section  1:  Introduction  ..................................................................................................................................  2  
Section  1.1:  Background  to  the  Drinking  Water  Report  ............................................................................  2  
Section  1.2:  Management  of  Drinking  Water  Supplies  .............................................................................  2  
Section  1.3:  Regulation  of  Drinking  Water  Supplies  ..................................................................................  4  
Section  2:  Public  Supplies  ..............................................................................................................................  5  
Section  2.1:  Quality  of  Public  Supplies  ......................................................................................................  5  
Section  2.2:  Water  Restrictions  and  Boil  Notices  ......................................................................................  9  
Section  2.3:  Security  of  Public  Supplies  ...................................................................................................  11  
Section  2.5:  Enforcement  of  Public  Supplies  ...........................................................................................  13  
Section  2.5.1  Exceedances  of  legal  parametric  limits  .........................................................................  13  
Section  2.5.2  Remedial  Action  List  ......................................................................................................  15  
Section  2.5.3  Audits  .............................................................................................................................  17  
Section  2.5.4  Directions  and  Prosecutions  ..........................................................................................  21  
Section  3:  Private  Supplies  ..........................................................................................................................  23  
Section  3.1:  Quality  and  Safety  of  Regulated  Private  Supplies  ...............................................................  23  
Section  3.2:  Enforcement  and  Security  of  Regulated  Private  Supplies  ...................................................  25  
Section  3.3:  Exempted  Private  Supplies  ..................................................................................................  25  
Section  4:  Recommendations  ......................................................................................................................  27  
Section  4.1:  Public  Water  Supplies  ..........................................................................................................  27  
Section  4.2:  Private  Water  Supplies  ........................................................................................................  29  
Section  4.3:  Exempted  Supplies  (individual  private  supplies)  .................................................................  29  
Section  5:  Appendices  .................................................................................................................................  30  
 

 
 
Key  Findings  for  2013  
 

• 99.82  %  of  samples    comply  with  microbiological  parameters.  

Public  Water   • 99.51  %  of  samples  comply  with  chemical  parameters.  

• 40  Boil  No0ces    and  4  Water  Restric0on  No0ces  were  issued,  affecWng  

Supplies   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.  

• 97.53  %  of  samples  comply  with  microbiological  parameters.  

• 99.57  %  of  samples  comply  with  chemical  parameters.  
Private  water   • E.  coli  detected  at  least  once  in  63  small  private  supplies  ,  32  private  
group  water  schemes  and  1  public  group  water  scheme.  
supplies   • The  microbiological  quality  of  private  supplies,  while  improving,  
remains  inferior  to  public  supplies.  

• 240,718  sample  results  reported  to  the  EPA.  

• 429  noWficaWons  of  exceedances  of  the  standards    were    invesWgated  
Enforcement   by  the  EPA.  
• 53  audits  of  public  supplies  were  conducted  by  the  EPA.    
Issues   • 16  direcWons  were  issued  by  the  EPA  in  2013  (up  from  4  in  2012).  
• More  than  half  of  supplies  audited  required  disinfecWon  system  
improvements.  

Remedial  
• Since  2008,  the  EPA  has  listed  449  supplies  on  its  Remedial  Ac0on  List.  
• 309  were  resolved  at  the  end  of  2013.  

AcWon  List  
• 72  %  of  the  original  339  listed  on  the  RAL  were  removed.  
• 140  supplies  were  on  the  RAL  at  the  end  of  2013.  

• Remove  Boil  Water  NoWces  by  improving  disinfecWon  standards.  

Strategic   • Implement  a  naWonal  lead  strategy.  

• OpWmise  chemical  dosing  and  reduce  THM  exceedances.  

Issues   • PrioriWse  RAL  schemes  for  improvement  /  investment.  

• Protect  sources  and  abstracWon  points.  
• Develop  Drinking  Water  Safety  Plans.  

1  
Section  1:  Introduction  

Section  1.1:  Background  to  the  Drinking  Water  Report  

This  report  provides  an  overview  of  the  quality  of  drinking  water  in  Ireland  during  2013.  The  report  covers  
both   public   and   private   drinking   water   supplies.   During   the   reporting   period   local   authorities   were  
responsible  for  the  management  of  public  drinking  water  supplies.  

This   report   is   based   on   the   EPA’s   assessment   of   the   240,718   sample   results   reported   to   the   EPA   by   local  
authorities   for   public   water   supplies   and   private   water   supplies.   For   2013   the   local   authorities   were  
responsible  for  public  water  supplies.  The  public  supplies  are  now  the  responsibility  of  Uisce  Éireann  :  Irish  
Water.  The  local  authorities  continue  to  be  the  supervisory  authorities  for  private  water  supplies.  

Ensuring  that  our  drinking  water  is  of  the  highest  quality  is  vital  for  public  health,  for  our  food  industry,  for  
tourism   and   for   inward   investment.   The   supply   of   clean   drinking   water   is   crucial   to   Ireland’s   economic  
future.   It   is   estimated   that   200,000   -­‐   250,0001   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   drinking   water   regulations   (S.I.   106   of   2007,   since   updated   by   S.I.   122   of   2014)   provide   the   EPA   with  
supervisory   powers   for   public   water   supplies.   The   EPA   can   direct   a   public   water   supplier   to   improve   the  
management  or  quality  of  a  public  water  supply.  Under  the  regulations  a  public  water  supplier  must  notify  
the  EPA  of  drinking  water  non-­‐compliances  or  risk  to  public  health  from  a  public  water  supply.  

The   core   principle   of   the   EPA’s   regulation   of   drinking   water   supplies   is   to   ensure   supplies   are   “safe”   and  
“secure”.   This   principle   was   adopted   by   the   EPA   in   2009.   Safety   of   supplies   covers   testing   to   ensure   that   the  
water   quality   meets   the   drinking   water   standards.   Drinking   water   security   means   taking   a   proactive  
approach   and   involves   examining   the   treatment   in   place,   management   systems,   risks   to   the   supply   and  
remedial  measures  to  ensure  a  constant  and  reliable  supply  of  safe  drinking  water.  

This report pre-dates the period from January 2014 when Irish Water
Irish became responsible for providing public drinking water. Irish Water is
Water now responsible for ensuring that drinking water is wholesome and
clean and meets the requirements of the Drinking Water Regulations.
The EPA is the supervisory authority for Irish Water and works to
ensure that drinking water supplied by Irish Water meets the standards
of the European Union (Drinking Water) Regulations 2014.
 

Section  1.2:  Management  of  Drinking  Water  Supplies  

A  drinking  water  supply  includes  the  abstraction,  treatment,  storage  and  distribution  of  water  from  source  to  
consumers.   Ireland   has   a   large   number   of   public   and   private   supplies   (3,831)   for   a   relatively   small  
population,   compared   to   other   EU   countries.   Ireland   has   978   public   water   supplies   in   comparison   to  
Scotland’s  298  supplies  for  a  similar  population  size.  Managing  Ireland’s  water  supplies  is  complex  due  to  the  
number   and   variation   in   types   of   supply   -­‐   geographical   location,   size,   treatment   processes,   management,  
consumers,   ownership   issues,   distribution   networks   and   a   historical   lack   of   funding.   This   variation   in   the  
characteristics  of  supplies  needs  detailed  local  knowledge,  process  expertise  and  a  responsive  management  
approach.  
                                                                                                                       
1
 available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/other/events/oee/nationalwaterevent2014/  

2  
Drinking  Water  Supply  Types  in  Ireland  

Supply  Type   Supplier/Supplying   No.  of  Supplies   Population  (%)   Supervisory  Authority  

Public  Water  Supplies   Irish  Water   978   82.1   EPA  

Public  Group  Schemes   Local  Group   614   2.3   Local  Authorities  
Private  Group  Schemes   Local  Group   438   4.2   Local  Authorities  
Small  Private  Supplies   Commercial/public  entity   1,801   0.8   Local  Authorities  
2
Exempted  Supplies   Individual  supplier   estimated  170,000     10.6   Unregulated  
        (e.g.  private  wells    
        or  boreholes)  

81%  of  Ireland’s  drinking  water  is  sourced  from  surface  water  (i.e.  river  and  lakes),  which  varies  in  quality.  
12%  is  sourced  from  groundwater  and  7%  is  sourced  from  springs.  

Public  Water  Supplies  vary  in  size  from  one  or  two  houses  to  over  245,000  people3  on  a  single  supply.  Larger  
supplies  tend  to  have  more  infrastructure,  treatment  processes,  management  controls  and  resources  while  
smaller   rural   ones   tend   to   have   less.   Managing   the   variation   in   each   supply,   the   different   treatment  
processes  and  infrastructural  issues  is  challenging.    

Managing  distribution  networks  to  maintain  good  water  quality  is  also  challenging  and  depends  on  training,  
expertise,   resources   and   water   demand.   Reservoirs   and   networks   need   cleaning   and   this   work   has   to   be  
balanced  with  consumer  demand  and  maintaining  pressure.  New  connections,  bursts,  leaks,  old  lead  pipes  
and  repairs  pose  risk  of  contamination.  Long  storage  times  in  reservoirs  affect  disinfection  and  risks  bacterial  
regrowth.  Distribution  networks  vary  in  design  (grids,  loops,  branches)  and  length.  Inadequate  disinfection  
can  occur  in  short  networks  or  stagnant  water  in  long  ones.  Pipework  in  Public  Water  Supplies  is  owned  by  
the  water  supplier  up  to  the  stopcock  but  from  there  to  the  tap  is  the  ownership  and  responsibility  of  the  
property  owner  or  householder.  

EPA The EPA has published a wide range of guidance and technical advice notes
Advice available at http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/ in relation to the
management of supplies. Published advice covers source protection, borehole
construction, chemical treatment, disinfection, service reservoirs and lead
pipes.

The  advice  published  by  the  EPA  covers  the  technical  water  treatment  aspects  of  what  needs  to  be  improved  
in   relation   to   source   protection,   treatment   and   distribution   systems.   For   drinking   water   supplies   to   be  
deemed   secure,   the   water   supplier  should  profile   and   manage   the   risks   identified   for   the   supply   using   the  
Water  Safety  Plan  (WSP)  approach.  Water  Safety  Plans  are  discussed  in  more  detail  in  Section  2.3.  

   

                                                                                                                       
2
 Exempted  supply  means  a  supply  of  water  which  (a)(i)  constitutes  an  individual  supply  of  less  than  10  cubic  metres  a  
day  on  average  or  serves  fewer  than  50  persons,  and  (ii)  is  not  supplied  as  part  of  a  commercial  or  public  activity,  or  (b)  
is  used  exclusively  for  purposes  in  respect  of  which  the  relevant  supervisory  authority  is  satisfied  that  the  quality  of  the  
water  has  no  influence,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  on  the  health  of  the  consumers  concerned.    
3
 The  largest  supply  zone  in  Ireland  is  Fingal  Zone  1,  which  serves  245,372  people.  

3  
Section  1.3:  Regulation  of  Drinking  Water  Supplies  
The   EPA   can   direct   a   public   water   supplier   (previously   local   authorities,   now   Irish   Water)   to   improve   the  
management   or   quality   of   a   public   water   supply.   The   local   authorities   have   a   similar   supervisory   role   in  
relation   to   group   water   schemes   and   private   supplies.  Handbooks4  have   been   published   by   the   EPA   covering  
the  implementation  of  the  regulations  for  both  public  and  private  supplies.  

EPA  responsibilities  for  drinking  water  include  the  following:  

• Enforcing  the  Drinking  Water  Regulations  for  public  supplies;  

• Investigating   notifications   of   failures   to   meet   the   drinking   water   standards   and   ensuring   necessary  
action  is  taken  to  correct  problems;  
• Auditing  public  drinking  water  treatment  plants;  
• Issuing  Directions  where  necessary  to  ensure  action  is  taken  to  fix  problems;  
• Investigating  drinking  water  quality  complaints  not  resolved  by  the  water  supplier;  
• Publishing  an  annual  report  on  the  quality  of  drinking  water  in  Ireland.    

Local  Authority  responsibilities  for  drinking  water  include  the  following:  

• Enforcing  the  Drinking  Water  Regulations  for  private  supplies;  

• Investigating   notifications   of   failures   to   meet   the   drinking   water   standards   and   ensuring   that  private  
water  suppliers  are  taking  the  necessary  action  to  correct  problems;  
• Auditing  private  drinking  water  treatment  plants;  
• Issuing   Directions   to   private   water   suppliers   where   necessary   to   ensure   action   is   taken   to   fix  
problems;  
• Investigating  drinking  water  quality  complaints  not  resolved  by  the  water  supplier.  
• From   2014,   local   authorities   also   continue   to   operate,   manage   and  maintain   treatment   plants   and  
distribution  networks  for  public  supplies  under  service  level  agreements  with  Irish  Water.  
The   Health   Service   Executive   also   has   a   statutory   role   under   the   drinking   water   regulations5.   Irish   water   and  
local  authorities  (for  private  supplies)  must  consult  with  the  HSE  in  relation  to  drinking  water  exceedances  or  
instances  where  there  is  a  public  health  risk.  Where  Irish  Water  or  the  local  authority  (in  consultation  with  
the   HSE)   considers   that   the   exceedance,   risk   or   treatment   failure   constitutes   a   potential   danger   to   human  
health,  Irish  Water  or  the  local  authority  (subject  to  agreement  of  the  HSE)  must  inform  consumers  promptly  
and  provide  the  necessary  advice.  

New  drinking  water  regulations  came  into  force  in  20146,  which  revised  the  drinking  water  regulations  that  
were  introduced  in  2007  to  take  account  of  the  establishment  of  Irish  Water.  

                                                                                                                       
4
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/publicwatersupplieshandbook/  and  
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/privatewatersupplieshandbook/    
5
 Regulation  9  of  European  Union  (Drinking  Water)  Regulations  2014  
6
 European  Union  (Drinking  Water)  Regulations  2014  

4  
Section  2:  Public  Supplies  
This   section   of   the   report   presents   the   EPA   findings   on   the   quality   and   management   of   978   Public   Water  
Supplies  operating  in  2013.  This  number  is  up  46  from  the  932  public  supplies  covered  in  the  report  for  2012  
as,   due   to   an   EPA   instruction,   local   authorities   registered   46   supplies   with   the   EPA   that   had   not   been  
previously   reported.   These   consisted   of   small   public   supplies,   generally   associated   with   current   or   former  
rural   public   authority   housing   schemes.   The   quality   and   disinfection   at   these   small   supplies   is   generally  
below  the  standard  found  at  other  public  supplies.  

Local   authorities   were   entirely   responsible   for   the   supplies   during   2013.   Public   supplies,   since   1st   January  
2014,  are  the  responsibility  of  Irish  Water.  

Further  Information  

The  full  data-­‐set  of  2013  data  is  available  at  

http://erc.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/displayISO19115.jsp?isoID=3073.  

Current  information  on  drinking  water  monitoring  results  can  be  accessed  via  Irish  Water’s  website  at  
http://www.water.ie/about-­‐us/environment-­‐and-­‐community/water-­‐quality/  .    

Historic  information  on  drinking  water  monitoring  results  and  water  supply  details  for  each  county  (dating  
back  to  the  year  2000)  is  available  on  the  EPA’s  SAFER  (Secure  Archive  for  Environmental  Research  Data)  
web-­‐page  at  http://erc.epa.ie/safer/resourcelisting.jsp?oID=10206&username=EPA%20Drinking%20Water.  

Irish  Water’s  code  of  practice  on  complaint  handling  is  available  at  http://www.water.ie/our-­‐customer-­‐
commitment/.  

Section  2.1:  Quality  of  Public  Supplies  

174,644  test  results  for  public  supplies  were  submitted  to  the  EPA  by  local  authorities  for  assessment.  This  
monitoring   was   carried   out   as   part   of   the   annual   monitoring   programme   and   is   designed   to   provide  
information   on   the   quality   of   drinking   water.   Public   water   suppliers   are   required   to   ensure   that   the  
monitoring  programmes  meets  the  monitoring  requirements  of  the  drinking  water  regulations  and  must  be  
representative   of   the   quality   of   the   water   consumed   throughout   the   year,   and   be   equally   distributed  
through   the   supply.   The   overall   compliance   rate   for   these   public   supplies,   based   on   sample   compliance,   was  
99.82   %   for   Microbiological   parameters,   99.51   %   for   Chemical   parameters   and   98.81   %   for   Indicator  
parameters.   This   compares   to   2012   figures   of   99.89   %   for   Microbiological   parameters   and   99.3   %   for  
Chemical   parameters.   A   summary   of   compliance   with   the   limits   (termed   ‘parametric   values’   in   the  
Regulations)  is  set  out  in  Appendix  1  (Public  Water  Supplies).  An  explanation  of  the  significance  of  each  of  
the  parameters  described  in  the  report  is  available  at    
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwaterauditreports/parameterappendix.html.  

Appendix  7  sets  out  the  overall  compliance  rate  for  microbiological  and  chemical  parameters  by  county.  

926   supplies   were   fully   compliant   for   E.   coli,   11   samples   (10   supplies)   failed   the   E.   coli   standard   and   11  
samples  (8  supplies)  failed  the  Enterococci  standard.  

5  
All  supplies  were  100%  compliant  for  15  of  the  237  chemical  parameters.  Of  the  remaining  parameters:    

• 1  sample  failed  the  chemical  parameters  Antimony,  Arsenic  and  Bromate.  

• 4  samples  (3  supplies)  failed  the  Copper  standard8.  
• 8  samples  (7  supplies)  failed  the  Nitrate  standard.  
• 13  samples  (11  supplies)  failed  the  Lead  standard.  
• 33  samples  (27  supplies)  failed  the  Fluoride  standard.  
• 7  samples  (6  supplies)  failed  the  individual  pesticide  standard.  
• 104  samples  (61  supplies)  failed  the  Trihalomethanes  standard.    

The   majority   of   the   failures   set   out   in   Appendix   1   relate   to   “indicator”   parameters.   Indicator   parameters   are  
designed  to  provide  information  on  the  management  of  the  treatment  process,  the  look,  taste  and  smell  of  
the   water.   A   value   reported   to   exceed   the   limit   for   an   indicator   parameter   should   not,   automatically,   be  
considered  a  cause  for  concern  but  a  guide  for  the  water  supplier  to  initiate  an  investigation  into  the  cause  
of  the  elevated  level  of  the  particular  parameter.    

44%   of   these   test   results   were   reported   as   accredited   results.   From   2016   all   results   submitted   to   the   EPA  
should   be   accredited   in   accordance   with   the   Drinking   Water   Handbook   on   the   Implementation   of   the  
Regulations  for  Public  water  Supplies9.  

Compliance  with  Key  Microbiological  and  Chemical  Parameters  

E.  coli  
98.9%   10   50%   81%  
supplies  complied  with   supplies  failed  in  2013   of  the  2013  supplies  that   reduction  in  E.  coli  
the  standard  in  2013.   up  three  from  2012.   failed  were  ‘small   detections  since  
supplies’  in  Co.  Wicklow.     2007.  
The  most  important  health  indicators  of  drinking  water  quality  are  the  microbiological  parameters  and  
in  particular,  E.coli.  The  presence  of  E.coli  indicates  that  the  disinfection  treatment  process  is  not  
operating  adequately  or  that  contamination  has  entered  the  water  distribution  system  after  treatment.  
Johnstown  South  (Arklow)  supply  had  the  highest  E.  coli  (70)  count  in  a  single  sample.  A  boil  notice  was  
in  place  until  UV  treatment  was  installed.  
Disinfection  controls  need  to  be  reviewed  and  standardised  to  ensure  compliance  with  the  E.coli  
standard  in  public  supplies.  
The  EPA  has  published  an  Advice  Note  on  E.  coli  in  Drinking  Water  available  at  
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenoteadvicenoteno3.html  
and  a  Water  Treatment  Manual  on  Disinfection  available  at  
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/watertreatmentmanualdisinfection.html.    
 

                                                                                                                       
7
 The  individual  pesticide  parameter  is  calculated  separately.  
8
 A  failure  of  the  Copper  standard  is  an  indication  of  internal  copper  plumbing  in  a  building  or  property  rather  than  a  
problem  with  the  water  supply  served  to  that  building/property.  
9
 available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/publicwatersupplieshandbook/    

6  
 60  

50  
*EPA  became  supervisory  authority    
40  

30  

20  

10  

0  
2007*   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013  
 

Figure  1:  Trend  in  the  number  of  public  supplies  where  E.  coli  was  detected.  

Cryptosporidium  (non-­‐mandatory  parameter)  

105   8   172,241   4  
tests  submitted  in   supplies  on  Boil  Water   population  on  supplies   directions  issued  for  
2013.   Notice  due  to  a  risk   listed  on  the  RAL  for  risk   Roscommon  supplies  at  
from  Cryptosporidium.   from  Cryptosporidium  at   risk  from  Cryptosporidium.  
the  end  of  2013.  
Cryptosporidium  is  not  one  of  the  48  parameters  listed  in  the  drinking  water  regulations,  for  which  
monitoring  is  specified.  However,  the  EPA  has  through  the  EPA  Advice  Note  No.  9:  Cryptosporidium  
Sampling  and  Monitoring10  provided  guidance  on  Cryptosporidium  monitoring.  
During  2013  the  notification  of  Cryptosporidium  detections  was  only  required  in  cases  where  the  
local  authority,  in  consultation,  with  the  HSE  considered  the  supply  a  potential  danger  to  human  
health.  This  requirement  has  now  changed  and  under  the  2014  regulations  Irish  Water  must  notify  
the  EPA  of  any  detections  of  Cryptosporidium  in  the  supply.  
 

Trihalomethanes  (THM)  
90.3%   61   23   245µg/l  
compliance  with  the   supplies  exceeded  the  100   of  these  61  supplies   was  the  highest  result  
Trihalomethanes   µg/l  standard  -­‐  the  majority   had  Trihalomethanes   found  in  the  North  East  
standard.   are  in  Donegal,  Galway,   greater  than  150   Regional  Supply  (Roosky),  
Kerry,  Roscommon  and   µg/l.   Co.  Roscommon.  
Wicklow.  
Trihalomethanes  are  by-­‐products  of  the  chlorination  (disinfection)  process.    These  compounds  are  
undesirable  in  drinking  water  and  their  presence  should  be  minimised  while  not  compromising  
disinfection.    The  causes  of  exceedances  should  be  examined,  with  optimisation  of  plant  treatment  and  
network  needed  to  reduce  levels.  A  joint  EPA-­‐HSE  fact  sheet  for  consumers  on  THMs  is  available  at  
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/trihalomethanesjointpositionstatement.html.  An  
advice  note  on  Disinfection  By-­‐Products  for  water  suppliers  is  also  available  at  
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenoteadvicenoteno4.html.    
Supplies  on  the  Remedial  Action  List  for  THM  exceedances  should  be  prioritised  for  investment.      

                                                                                                                       
10
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenote-­‐advicenoteno9.html    

7  
Fluoride  
The  local  authority  (and  now  Irish  Water),  on  behalf  of  the  HSE,  implements  the  fluoridation  of  public  water  
supplies.  It  is  a  legal  requirement  under  the  Health  (Fluoridation  of  Water  Supplies)  Act  and  is  a  matter  for  
the  Department  of  Health  and  Children  to  legislate  for.  The  Minister  for  Health  and  Children  has  established  
an  Expert  Body  on  Fluorides  and  Health  charged  with  responsibility  for  advising  the  Minister  on  this  topic.  
Details  are  available  at  www.fluoridesandhealth.ie.  

The  role  of  the  EPA  is  to  enforce  the  legal  standards  in  the  European  Union  (Drinking  Water)  Regulations  
2014  and  where  the  standard  is  breached  to  ensure  that  appropriate  corrective  action  is  taken.  In  the  case  of  
fluoride  the  Drinking  Water  Regulations  set  an  upper  limit  of  0.8  mg/l.  The  standard  in  Ireland  is  more  
stringent  that  the  EU  Drinking  Water  Directive  standard  of  1.5  mg/l.  In  2013,  33  samples  (27  supplies)  failed  
the  national  standard  of  0.8  mg/l  for  Fluoride.  One  sample  (Ardnapondra  Reservoir,  Co.  Westmeath)  failed  
the  European  standard  of  1.5  mg/l.    
 

Lead  
98.5%   10µg/l   11   46  
of  supplies  comply  with   is  the  new  standard  -­‐   exceedances  of  the   samples  in  33  supplies  
the  2013  standard  of   reduced  from  25µg/l  on   25µg/l  lead  standard   taken  during  2013  
25µg/l.   the  25/12/2013.   were  reported  in  parts   would  have  exceeded  
of  supplies  in  2013.   the  new  lead  standard.  
Lead  pipes  still  exist  in  the  distribution  network.  It  is  expected  that  compliance  with  the  lower  10  µg/l  
standard  will  not  improve  unless  works  to  replace  lead  pipes  is  undertaken.  Measures  include  
optimisation  of  the  treatment  process  to  reduce  plumbosolvency  but  the  sustainable  approach  to  
comprehensively  deal  with  lead  exceedances  is  to  remove  lead  pipes.  Actions  required  to  address  lead  
issues  are  covered  in  the  EPA  Advice  Note  Number  2  published  in  2009  on  “Action  programmes  to  
restore  the  quality  of  drinking  water  impacted  by  lead  pipes  and  lead  plumbing”11.  
A  national  strategy  is  necessary  to  achieve  compliance  with  the  lead  standard.    
 

Pesticides  
0.5µg/l   0.1µg/l   6   MCPA  
is  the  standard  for   the  standard  for   the  number  of   was  the  pesticide  
Total  Pesticides  and   individual  pesticides  was   supplies  exceeding  the   (herbicide)  detected  in  
was  not  exceeded  in   exceeded  in  7  samples   individual  pesticide   each  case  
the  supplies  tested   standard  
The  individual  pesticide  limit  was  exceeded  in  6  supplies  in  2013;  four  supplies  were  in  Cavan,  one  in  
Kerry  and  one  in  Limerick.  In  each  case  the  herbicide  MCPA  was  detected.  There  is  a  pattern  of  
detection  in  June/July  and  again  in  September/October  typically  the  times  it  is  applied  to  grassland  for  
ragwort,  rush  and  thistle  control.  
Source  protection  measures  should  be  implemented  to  protect  drinking  water  sources  from  pesticide  
contamination;  this  requires  a  catchment  based  approach.  Information  leaflets  and  guidance  on  the  
safe  use  of  pesticides  is  available  at  http://www.epa.ie/water/dw/sourceprotection/.  
 

The  standard  for  nitrates  (50  mg/l)  was  exceeded  in  seven  supplies.  Five  of  these  supplies  are  in  County  
Waterford.  Three  of  the  Waterford  supplies  had  a  water  restriction  in  place  during  2013  for  nitrates.  

                                                                                                                       
11
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenoteno2.html    

8  
Compliance  with  Key  Indicator  Parameters  
The   Aluminium   standard   of   200   µg/l   was   exceeded   in   40   supplies   during   2013   compared   to   46   in   2012.  
Aluminium  is  present  in  drinking  water  as  a  result  of  its  use  as  aluminium  sulphate  (a  coagulant)  in  the  water  
treatment   process,   though   can   be   naturally   present   in   some   waters.   Historically,   there   has   been   some  
concern   about   possible   links   between   aluminium   in   drinking   water   and   Alzheimer’s   disease.   However,   the  
WHO   states   that:   “On   the   whole,   the   positive   relationship   between   aluminium   in   drinking   water   and  
Alzheimer’s  disease  which  was  demonstrated  in  several  epidemiological  studies,  cannot  be  totally  discounted.  
However,   strong   reservations   about   inferring   a   causal   relationship   are   warranted   in   view   of   the   failure   of  
these  studies  to  account  for  demonstrated  confounding  factors  and  for  the  total  aluminium  intake  from  all  
sources”.  In  recognition  of  poor  coagulation  processes  observed  during  audits  of  treatment  plants  the  EPA  
published  Advice  Note  15  –  Optimisation  of  Chemical  Coagulation  Dosing  in  201412.    

The   turbidity   limit   of   1.0   NTU   at   the   treatment   plant   was   exceeded   in   30   supplies.   The   control   of   turbidity   is  
one  of  the  indicators  of  the  efficiency  of  treatment  at  the  plant.  Elevated  levels  of  turbidity  in  the  treated  
water  indicate  that  the  treatment  process  is  not  operating  adequately.  It  also  provides  a  good  indication  of  
whether  the  treatment  plant  is  capable  of  removing  Cryptosporidium  oocysts.  While  the  parametric  value  for  
turbidity  (at  the  tap)  is  that  the  water  must  be  “acceptable  to  consumers  and  [there  must  be]  no  abnormal  
change”   there   is   a   parametric   value   for   turbidity   (for   water   leaving   the   treatment   plant)   of   1.0   NTU.  
However,  it  must  be  stressed  that  this  value  is  for  visual  acceptability  of  the  water.  In  practice  turbidity  levels  
need  to  be  much  lower  and  should  not  exceed  0.2  NTU  and  preferably  be  below  0.1  NTU  to  be  protective  
against   Cryptosporidium   breakthrough   in   the   treatment   plant.   Technical   guidance   for   operators   on   the  
importance   of   reducing   turbidity   has   been   published   by   the   EPA   in   the   EPA   Water   Treatment   Manual   on  
Disinfection  and  in  the  EPA  Advice  Note  No  5  -­‐  Turbidity  in  Drinking  Water7.  

Section  2.2:  Water  Restrictions  and  Boil  Notices    

Where  drinking  water  exceeds  the  standard  or  where  the  water  supplier  considers  there  is  a  risk  to  public  
health,  the  water  supplier  must  consult  with  the  Health  Service  Executive  to  determine  whether  the  supply  
should  be  prohibited  or  restricted,  and  where  this  is  the  case  consumers  must  be  informed  promptly.  Where  
the  HSE  considers  the  quality  of  water  intended  for  human  consumption  constitutes  a  potential  danger  to  
human  health,  they  recommend  to  the  water  supplier  that  a  Water  Restriction  Notice  and/or  a  Boil  Notices  
are  issued  by  the  water  provider.  Similarly,  these  notices  are  removed  from  supplies,  in  consultation  with  the  
Health  Service  Executive,  when  the  problem  is  resolved  by  the  water  supplier.  

During  2013  there  were  57  boil  water  notices  and  12  water  restriction  notices  active  in  16  counties  affecting  
35,831  people.  By  comparison,  in  2012  suppliers  issued  42  boil  water  notices  and  water  restrictions  affecting  
approximately  50,000  consumers.  By  the  end  of  2013,  19  Boil  notices  and  8  Water  Restriction  Notices  in  12  
counties   remained   in   place   affecting   over   17,000   people.   Notices   can   apply   to   all   or   part   of   a   supply   and   last  
from   several   days   to   several   years   depending   on   the   scale   of   works   necessary   to   solve   the   issue.   In   some  
cases  notices  are  precautionary  in  nature  due  to  inadequate  treatment  or  failure  of  the  disinfection  system,  
whereas  in  other  cases  notices  are  put  in  place  because  E.  coli  or  Cryptosporidium  is  detected.  Also,  several  
of   the   water   restrictions   relate   to   the   presence   of   lead   pipes.   Appendix   5   provides   a   list   of   the   notices   in  
place  during  2013.  

As   of   11   December   2014,   there   were 23   supplies   on   Boil   Water   Notices   affecting   a   population   of   23,297   and  
15  supplies  on  Water  Restrictions  affecting  a  population  of  4,071.  The  majority  of  the  population  affected  by  
these   current   boil   water   notices   are   in   County   Roscommon   and   they   relate   to   Cryptosporidium   risk.   An  
overview  of  Roscommon  supplies  and  the  action  taken  to  restore  drinking  water  quality  is  provided.    
                                                                                                                       
12
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenoteno5.html  

9  
Spotlight  on  Roscommon  

21  public  water  supplies  serve  48,800  people  in  County  Roscommon.  As  of  December  2014,  there  are  8  boil  notices  
affecting  21,151  people  on  the  Boyle,  Boyle/Ardcarne,  Castlerea  Urban,  Castlerea  Regional,  Northeast  
Strokestown/Elphin,  Northeast  Tarmonbarry,  Northeast  Roosky  and  South  Roscommon  Kileglan  public  water  supplies.  
Over  90%  of  people  on  a  boil  notice  in  Ireland  live  in  County  Roscommon.  

In  County  Roscommon  the  groundwater  and  in  particular  spring  water  is  heavily  influenced  by  surface  water  due  to  the  
highly  karstified  nature  of  the  limestone.  Monitoring  for  Cryptosporidium  is  a  recent  development  in  drinking  water  
management.  Roscommon  supplies  are  particularly  vulnerable  to  Cryptosporidium  due  to  a  combination  of  spring  
sources  influenced  by  surface  water,  which  were  perceived  to  be  clean  sources  that  did  not  require  extensive  
treatment,  and  the  lack  of  barriers  to  Cryptosporidium.  EPA  guidance  now  requires  vulnerable  spring  sources  to  have  
13
appropriate  Cryptosporidium  barriers .  

As  of  December  2014  there  are  11  Roscommon  supplies  on  the  EPA  Remedial  Action  list  –  10  for  risk  from  
Cryptosporidium  and  one  for  Trihalomethanes.  The  EPA  has  issued  directions  to  either  Roscommon  County  Council  or
Irish  Water  for  each  of  the  10  supplies  at  risk  from  Cryptosporidium  requiring  either  the  installation  of  a  barrier  or  an  
action  programme  to  prevent  the  entry  of  Cryptosporidium.    

For  each  of  the  8  supplies  on  a  boil  water  notice  in  County  Roscommon,  the  EPA  has  issued  directions  requiring  action  
to  be  taken  to  prevent  the  entry  of  Cryptosporidium  into  supply.    
-­‐   Boyle  and  Boyle/Ardcarne:  an  EPA  direction  was  issued  in  September  2013  to  install  a  Cryptosporidium  barrier  by  
31/8/14.  An  EPA  audit  in  September  2014  found  work  70%  complete.  By  December  2014,  the  works  were  92%  
complete.    
-­‐   South  Roscommon  Kileglan:  an  EPA  direction  was  issued  in  November  2013  to  install  a  Cryptosporidium  barrier  by  
28/11/14.  By  December  2014  the  works  were  83%  complete  and  due  to  be  completed  in  March  2015.    
-­‐   Castlerea  Urban  and  Castlerea  Regional:  an  EPA  direction  was  issued  in  June  2014  to  install  a  Cryptosporidium  
barrier  by  30/6/15.  Irish  Water  has  notified  the  EPA  that  the  temporary  plant  will  be  in  place  by  March  2015.    
-­‐   North  East  Regional  (Stokestown/Elphin,  Tarmonbarry  and  Roosky):  an  EPA  direction  was  issued  in  June  2014  to  
install  a  Cryptosporidium  barrier  by  30/6/15.  Irish  Water  has  notified  the  EPA  that  the  barrier  will  be  in  place  by  
December  2016.  

 
Construction  works  ongoing  at  Boyle  and  Boyle/Ardcarne  treatment  plant,  September  2014  

The  EPA  has  identified  a  further  3  supplies  at  risk  from  Cryptosporidium  and  these  supplies  are  on  the  EPA  Remedial  
Action  List  –  Ballyfarnon,  Ballinlough/Loughglynn  and  South  Roscommon  Lisbrock.    
-­‐   Ballinlough/Loughglynn:  an  EPA  direction  issued  in  August  2014  to  prepare  a  Cryptosporidium  action  programme  by  
24/10/15.  Irish  Water  is  reviewing  raw  water  quality  and  treatment  options  and  has  notified  the  EPA  that  a  new  
treatment  plant  will  be  in  place  by  2016.  
-­‐   South  Roscommon  Lisbrock:  an  EPA  direction  issued  in  August  2014  to  prepare  a  Cryptosporidium  action  
programme  by  24/10/14.  Irish  Water  is  constructing  a  new  treatment  plant  (75%  complete)  and  has  notified  the  EPA  
that  it  will  be  in  place  by  May  2015.  
-­‐   Ballyfarnon:  an  EPA  direction  issued  in  October  2014  to  prepare  a  Cryptosporidium  action  programme  by  30/10/15.  
Irish  Water  is  constructing  a  new  plant  (39%  complete)  and  has  notified  the  EPA  that  it  will  be  in  place  by  mid-­‐2015.  

                                                                                                                       
13
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/publicwatersupplieshandbook/    

10  
Section  2.3:  Security  of  Public  Supplies  
Many  of  the  current  problems  seen  in  the  water  supply  network  result  from  under-­‐investment  and  a  reactive  
management   approach   to   water   quality   problems.     In   contrast,   the   Water   Safety   Plan   (WSP)   is   a   preventive,  
management  framework  for  safe  drinking  water  that  comprises  system  assessment  and  design,  operational  
monitoring   and   management   plans   (including   documentation   and   communication).   A   WSP   for   each   public  
water   supply   facilitates   continuous   improvement   in   the   security   of   the   supply   and   protection   of   human  
health.  The  aim  of  a  WSP  is  to  ensure  the  safety  and   security  of  a  water  supply  by  identifying  and  managing  
risks.  The  EPA’s  Advice  Note  No.8  –  Developing  Drinking  Water  Safety  Plans,  provides  guidance  on  the  WSP  
approach  and  is  available  at    
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenote-­‐advicenoteno8.html.  

At  the  end  of  2013  there  were  66  Water  Safety  Plans  in  preparation  and  2  completed.  

The   EPA   recommends   that   a   WSP   is   developed   specifically   for   each   drinking   water   supply   and   should   be  
considered  as  a  risk  management  strategy  to  ensure  the  continuous  supply  of  safe  water.  The  EPA’s  safe  and  
secure  model  (Figure  2)  for  the  provision  of  water  is  consistent  with  the  World  Health  Organisation’s  WSP  
approach  that  encompasses  all  potential  hazardous  events  from  the  catchment  to  the  consumer.  

Figure  2:  The  Drinking  Water  Safety  Plan  Approach  

11  
Spotlight  on  Drinking  Water  Safety  Planning  

The  EPA  continues  to  encourage  and  support  the  development  of  WSPs  as  the  most  effective  approach  to  
securing  and  safeguarding  Ireland’s  water  services.  In  2014,  the  EPA  provided  training  on  its  WSP  web  tool  to  
local   authorities’   water   service   staff   and   Irish   Water.   The   EPA   continues   to   progress   WSP   implementation  
through  support,  guidance  and  sharing  information  on  the  preparation  and  implementation  of  WSPs.    

Irish   Water   submitted   a   “Drinking   Water   Safety   Plan:   Implementation   Plan   2014-­‐2016”   to   the   EPA   in  
November  2014  and  this  will  be  used  to  drive  improvements  in  the  provision  of  drinking  water  and  ensure  
funding   is   provided   to   the   supplies   that   need   it   most.   Irish   Water   has   committed   to   the   EPA   to   have   a  
complete   DWSP   for   135   water   supply   zones   serving   a   population   of   2,130,308   (57%)   by   the   end   of   2016.  
Figure   3   illustrates   progress   with   the   implementation   of   DWSPs   (completed,   in   preparation   or   to  
commence).  This  is  an  improvement  from  2013  when  2  WSPs  were  completed.  

 246,181  ,  7%  

7  schemes  completed  
 1,620,000  ,  
43%   128  schemes  in  preparaWon  
 1,884,127  ,   Remaining  schemes  
50%  

Figure  3:  DWSP  Implementation  Progress  in  November  2014  (population  coverage,  %)  

Financial   and   resource   requirements   of   water   safety   plans   need   to   be   addressed   at   the   outset.   Proper  
implementation  of  the  WSP  approach  can  save  money  and  better  target  resources  in  the  longer  term.   The  
output   of   WSP   risk   assessments   should   inform   the   Capital   Investment   Programme   2017-­‐2021,   which   will  
assist  the  targeting  of  investment  towards  priority  (high  risk)  supplies.  

Irish   Water   is   now   in   a   position   to   lead   the   WSP   approach   for   public   water   supplies,   in   collaboration   with  
stakeholders  (e.g.  agriculture  and  industry  sectors,  landowners,  local  government  and  customers  working  on  
catchment   protection   measures)   and   work   with   them   on   risk   reduction.   A   network   of   stakeholders   should  
actively  facilitate  effective  communication,  identify,  agree  and  put  in  place  controls  and  mitigation  measures  
and   monitor   their   effectiveness.   Implementation   of   the   WSP   approach   and   providing   relevant   information  
on   the   WSP   risk   assessment   will   increase   consumer   and   stakeholder   confidence   in   the   safety   and   security   of  
water  supplies.  

12  
Section  2.5:  Enforcement  of  Public  Supplies  
A   summary   of   the   EPA’s   enforcement   actions   during   2013   is   provided   in   this   chapter.   The   drinking   water  
regulations   (S.I.   106   of   2007,   since   updated   by  S.I.   122   of   2014)   provide   the   EPA   with   supervisory   powers   for  
public  water  supplies.  The  EPA  can  direct  a  public  water  supplier  to  improve  the  management  or  quality  of  a  
public   water   supply.   Under   the   regulations   a   public   water   supplier   must   notify   the   EPA   of   drinking   water  
non-­‐compliances  or  risk  to  public  health  from  a  public  water  supply.  The  EPA  has  published  a  handbook  on  
the   implementation   of   the   regulations   to   provide   guidance   to   water   suppliers.   The   EPA   also   publishes  water  
treatment  manuals  and  advice  notes  to  provide  practical  guidance  to  water  suppliers.  All  of  these  documents  
are  available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/.    

Section  2.5.1  Exceedances  of  legal  parametric  limits  

The  Drinking  Water  Regulations  require  water  suppliers  to  ensure  that  any  failure  to  meet  the  limits  set  in  
the  Regulations  is  immediately  investigated  to  determine  the  cause  of  the  failure.  The  water  supplier  must  
notify  the  EPA  of  any  such  failure  and  relay  the  results  of  its  investigations  in  accordance  with  the  Drinking  
Water  Handbook  on  the  Implementation  of  the  Regulations  for  Public  water  Supplies14.  

During   2013,   the   EPA   received   and   assessed   429   notifications   from   local   authorities   in   relation   to   public  
water  supplies.  A  breakdown  of  the  number  of  public  water  supplies  in  which  a  microbiological  or  chemical  
parameter  exceeded  the  standards  in  2012  and  2013  and  was  subsequently  notified  to  the  EPA  is  provided  in  
Table  1.    

Table   1:   Number   of   Public   Water   Supplies   where   the   microbiological   or   chemical   exceedances   were  
notified  to  the  EPA  during  2012  and  2013.      
Parameter   No.  of  PWS  with   No.  of  PWS  with   Change  since  2012  
Notifications    in  2012   Notifications  in  2013  
Microbiological  
E.  coli   25   14   11  
Enterococci   8   7   1  
Chemical  
Antimony   3   2   1  
Arsenic   0   1   1  
Benzene   0   0   No  change  
Benzo(a)pyrene   0   0   No  change  
Bromate   0   1   1  
Cadmium   0   0   No  change  
Copper   1   6   5  
Epichlorohydrin   0   0   No  change  
Fluoride   5   3   2  
15
Lead   13   12   1  
Nickel   2   0   2  
Nitrate   6   8   2  
Nitrite  (at  tap)   1   1   No  change  
PAH   0   0   No  change  
Pesticides  (individual)   16   17   1  
Pesticides  (Total)     1   0   1  
Trihalomethanes(Total)   98   70   18  
       
Improvement on 2012 Deterioration on 2012

                                                                                                                       
14
 available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/publicwatersupplieshandbook/  
15
 Individual  lead  notifications  may  relate  to  more  than  one  supply  zone.  

13  
A  trend  of  improved  public  water  supply  compliance  across  8  parameters  emerged  during  2013.  There  was  
no  change  in  public  water  supplies’  performance  in  relation  to  6  parameters  and  there  was  deterioration  in  
relation   to   5   parameters.   7   parameters   were   not   exceeded   at   all,   in   any   supply.   Overall,   year-­‐on-­‐year  
improvement  from  2012  to  2013  was  better  than  the  previous  2011-­‐2012  year-­‐on-­‐year  assessment  period.  

The  number  of  supplies  where  the  detection  of   E.  coli   was  notified  to  the  EPA  almost  halved  to  14  during  
2013  compared  to  the  numbers  affected  the  previous  year.  Findings  made  during  EPA  audits  in  relation  to  
disinfection   systems,   however,   highlight   that   maintaining   this   trend   of   improvement   relies   on   minimum  
disinfection  criteria  being  met  and  on  these  disinfection  systems  being  reliable  and  verifiable.  

Chlorination   is   vital   to   make   our   water   supplies   safe   from   infectious   microorganisms.   However,   the  
chlorination   process   can   also   produce   trihalomethanes   (THM),   an   undesirable   by-­‐product,   under   certain  
conditions.   There   has   been   a   decrease   in   the   number   of   public   water   supplies   where   THM   failures   were  
notified  to  the  EPA,  however  the  number  of  supplies  remaining  is  high  at  70  and  a  significant  improvement  
in  the  avoidance  of  THM  by-­‐product  production  is  required.  Continued  implementation  of  recommendations  
in   the   EPA   Advice   Note   No.   4   on   Disinfection   by-­‐Products   in   Drinking   Water16   is   recommended   to   further  
manage  THM  formation  in  supplies  towards  achieving  compliance.  A  position  paper  has  been  developed  by  
the  Health  Service  Executive  and  the  Environmental  Protection  Agency  on  Trihalomethanes.  This  paper  was  
published   in   2011.   It   provides   a   summary   of   the   issues   in   relation   to   trihalomethanes   in   drinking   water  
including  health,  legislation  and  interventions.  The  conclusions  in  the  paper  are  outlined  in  Appendix  8.    
There   were   no   bromate   exceedances   during   2012   but   in   2013   one   supply   (Cleggan/   Claddaghduff,   Co.  
Galway)  had  exceedances  of  the  10  µg/l  limit.  Bromate  is  also  a  disinfection  by-­‐product  associated  with  the  
reaction   of   chlorine   with   bromide   in   the   water.   The   water   supplier   determined   that   a   reduction   in   the  
chlorine   dose   at   this   supply   would   assist   in   reducing   bromate   levels   without   compromising   disinfection.   This  
reduction  in  dose  was  undertaken  and  a  follow-­‐up  sampling  programme  indicated  a  return  to  compliance.  
There  were  no  further  exceedances.  

Nitrate  levels  above  the  parametric  value  of  50  mg/l  were  detected  in  8  supplies  in  2013,  an  increase  of  2  
from   the   previous   year.   7   of   these   supplies   were   groundwater   supplies   located   in   Co.   Waterford   and   the  
remaining   supply   was   a   spring   supply   in   Co.   Kerry.   3   of   the   8   supplies   were   subject   to   restrictions   on   use  
following   HSE   advice.   Nitrate   in   springs   and   groundwater   is   attributed   largely   to   the   impact   of   diffuse  
pollution   from   agricultural   sources.   At   the   time   of   publication   of   this   report,   5   of   the   8   supplies   had   been  
either   replaced   or   nitrate   removal   installed   whilst   3   supplies   had   ongoing   issues   with   elevated   levels   of  
nitrate   and   were   subject   to   investigation   by   Irish   Water.   A   position   paper   has   been   developed   by   the   Health  
Service   Executive   and   the   Environmental   Protection   Agency   on   nitrate.   It   was   published   in   2010   and   the  
paper  provides  a  summary  of  the  issues  in  relation  to  nitrate  in  drinking  water  including  health,  legislation  
and  interventions.  The  interventions  are  listed  in  Appendix  8.    
The  number  of  supplies  affected  by  lead  levels  exceeding  the  limit  of  25  µg/l  reduced  by  1  to  12  during  2013  
compared   to   2012.   With   the   decrease   of   the   statutory   limit   to   10   µg/l   at   the   end   of   2013   and   many   lead  
replacement  programmes  either  incomplete  or  not  yet  begun,  a  significant  increase  in  lead  exceedances  is  
expected.   This   has   already   been   observed   in   2014.   A   position   paper   has   been   developed   by   the   Health  
Service  Executive  and  the  Environmental  Protection  Agency  on  lead.  It  was  published  in  2013  and  provides  a  
summary   of   the   issues   in   relation   to   lead   in   drinking   water   including   health,   legislation   and   interventions.  
The  key  points  in  this  paper  are  listed  in  Appendix  8.  

                                                                                                                       
16
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenoteadvicenoteno4.html    

14  
In  2013,  6  supplies  were  affected  by  copper  levels  exceeding  the  2.0  mg/l  limit.  This  was  an  increase  from  
just   1   supply   the   previous   year.   In   all   6   supplies,   the   investigation   undertaken   by   the   local   authority  
responsible   at   the   time   discovered   that   the   exceedances   were   due   to   copper   in   the   consumer’s   own  
plumbing   system.   The   local   authorities   in   each   case   informed   the   property   owner   of   the   findings   of   the  
investigation   and   either   advised   or   directed,   in   the   case   of   public   use   buildings,   that   they   remove   the  
privately  owned  copper  piping  causing  the  problem.  
A   trend   of   increase   in   the   number   of   public   water   supplies   affected   by   pesticides   exceedances   continued  
during  2013.  As  was  observed  during  2012,  the  herbicide  MCPA  prevailed  in  the  notifications  received.  The  
Pesticides  Working  Group  worked  during  2013  to  devise  an  awareness-­‐raising  campaign  which  was  launched  
in   the   summer   of   2014.   The   campaign   will   be   repeated   on   a   yearly   basis   as   required.   The   EPA   with   other  
stakeholders   collaborated   in   a   joint   initiative   with   farmers   to   facilitate   the   removal   of  farm   hazardous   waste  
including   pesticides.   Over   a   two   year   period   approximately   31   tonnes   of   pesticides   was   removed   for  
disposal.  
The  number  of  supplies  with  Antimony  exceedances  decreased  from  3  in  2012  to  2  in  2013.  The  two  supplies  
affected  were  in  Meath  and  Louth  and  are  of  anthropogenic  origin.  
One  supply  was  affected  by  elevated  levels  of  naturally  occurring  arsenic  during  2013.  The  supply  is  in  Co.  
Waterford   and   has   a   filter   for   arsenic   removal,   however,   the   filter   media   required   replacing   by   the   water  
supplier   at   the   time   of   the   exceedance.   All   follow-­‐up   sampling   results   since   the   2013   exceedance   were  
compliant  with  the  10  µg/l  limit  for  arsenic.  On  replacement  of  the  media  the  issue  was  deemed  resolved.  

Section  2.5.2  Remedial  Action  List  

The  Remedial  Action  List,  first  prepared  by  the  EPA  in  January  2008,  is  a  dynamic  list  of  public  water  supplies  
in   need   of   remedial   action.   Public   water   supplies   were  listed   by   the   EPA   on   the   original   RAL   for   one   or   more  
reasons:    
• Failure(s)  of  the  following  priority  RAL  parameters  in  the  previous  two  years:        
- Table  A  (microbiological  parameters):  E.  coli  
- Table  B  (chemical  parameters):  nitrate,  trihalomethanes,  bromate  
- Table  C  (indicator  parameters):  aluminium,  turbidity  
• Inadequate  treatment  (e.g.  no  treatment  other  than  chlorination  for  a  surface  water  supply  or  
poor  turbidity  removal  or  excessive  levels  of  aluminium  in  the  treated  water).  
• Monitoring  results  or  compliance  checks  by  the  EPA  indicated  a  lack  of  operational  control  at  the  
supply’s  treatment  plant.  
• Identified  by  the  Health  Service  Executive  as  a  supply  where  improvements  were  required.  
The   RAL   includes   supplies   where   the   primary   issue   to   be   addressed   is   the   water   treatment   plant.   The   list  
does  not  include  supplies  where  there  are  issues  of  quality  caused  by  the  distribution  network.  For  example,  
supplies   that   have   failed   to   meet   the   lead   parametric   value   due   to   the   presence   of   lead   pipework   in   the  
distribution  network  are  not  included  on  the  list.  Actions  required  to  address  lead  issues  are  covered  in  the  
EPA  Advice  Note  Number  2  published  in  2009  on  Action  programmes  to  restore  the  quality  of  drinking  water  
impacted  by  lead  pipes  and  lead  plumbing17.  
At  regular  intervals,  additional  supplies  are  added  to  the  RAL  based  on  further  information  from  EPA  audits,  
notifications   of   exceedances   or   information   gathered   from   Irish   Water,   the   Health   Service   Executive   and   the  
Department   of   Environment,   Community   and   Local   Government.   Supplies   are   removed   from   the   list   at   each  
update  when  sufficient  corrective  action  is  taken  by  local  authorities  (now  Irish  Water)  and  the  effectiveness  
of   the   measures   is   demonstrated   to   the   satisfaction   of   the   EPA.   In   general,   a   supply   will   not   be   removed  
                                                                                                                       
17
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenoteno2.html    

15  
from  the  list  on  the  basis  of  monitoring  results  alone.  Local  authorities  (now  Irish  Water)  must  demonstrate  
that   appropriate   actions   have   been   taken   (e.g.   new   infrastructure,   procedures   or   training)   to   ensure   that  
compliance  is  secured  and  the  risks  of  failure  have  been  minimised.  
Remedial  Action  Progress    
The  first  RAL  collated  by  the  EPA  in  January  2008  identified  339  public  water  supplies  representing  36%  of  
public   drinking   water   supplies   that   required   detailed   profiling   to   ensure   that   the   supply   is   providing   clean  
and   wholesome   drinking   water.   At   the   end   of   2013   there   were   140   schemes   on   the   RAL,   serving   944,447  
persons.  Appendix  6  contains  progress  of  RAL  supplies  at  the  end  of  2013  which  is  summarised  as  follows:  

• 243  (72%)  of  the  original  339  supplies  were  removed  from  the  RAL  by  the  end  of  2013  (Figure  4).  
• 66  supplies  were  added  to  the  original  RAL  but  have  been  subsequently  removed.  
• 44  supplies  were  added  to  the  original  RAL  and  remain  on  the  current  RAL.  
• 140  supplies  on  the  RAL  at  the  end  of  2013  supply  water  to  944,447  consumers  (Figure  4).  
• As  of  the  end  of  2013  completion  dates  were  provided  for  the  majority  of  supplies.  Dates  were  not  
provided  for  7  supplies  (Figure  5).  

400  
339  
350  
293  
300   268  
240  
250  
191  
200  
140  
150  

100  

50  

0  
Start  of  2008   End  of  2008   End  of  2010   Sept  2011   Sept  2012   Dec  2013  

Figure  4:  Reduction  in  the  number  of  public  water  supplies  on  the  Remedial  Action  List.    

40   38  
36  
35  
30  
25   21  
20   16   16  
15  
10   6   7  
5  
0  
Complete  -­‐   Complete   2013   2014   2015   2016  or  later   No  
verifying   but  not   Timeframe  
effecWveness   adequate  
 

Figure  5:  RAL  completion  dates  provided  by  local  authorities  in  December  2013.  

Appendix  6  gives  a  breakdown  of  the  supplies  on  the  RAL  in  each  county  along  with  anticipated  completion  
dates  as  provided  by  Irish  Water  as  of  December  2014.  

16  
 Supplies  on  the  RAL  
63   43   13   21  
supplies  on  the  RAL  for   supplies  on  the  RAL  for   supplies  on  the  RAL  for   supplies  on  the  RAL  for  
a  microbiological   a  Chemical  Failure  at   an  Indicator  failure  at   another  reason  at  the  
failure  at  the  end  of   the  end  of  2013  e.g.   the  end  of  2013  e.g.   end  of  2013  e.g.  
2013  e.g.  E.  coli,   nitrate,   aluminium,  coliforms   vulnerable  source,  EPA  
Cryptosporidium   trihalomethanes   audit  
These  supplies  were  either  on  the  original  RAL  or  were  subsequently  added  to  the  RAL.    

140  supplies  were  on  the  RAL  at  the  end  of  2013.  

The  complete  list  of  public  water  supplies  currently  on  the  RAL,  including  details  of  the  proposed  remedial  
measures  and  associated  timeframes,  is  available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/drinking/.  

A   key   factor   to   ensure   that   supplies   on   the   RAL   are   progressed   is   that   investment   in   infrastructural  
improvements   at   these   supplies   is   prioritised.   The   Capital   Investment   Plan   prepared   by   Irish   Water   should  
include   as   a   priority,   investment   to   address   boil   water   notices/restrictions   and   all   supplies   on   the   RAL   list.  
The   Capital   Investment   Plan   should   include   milestone   dates   for   capital   and   minor   investment   projects,  
including   expected   start   and   finish   dates   for   these   projects.   This   should   cover   both   those   within   the   first  
price   control   period   but   also   future   planned   works   to   give   consumers   certainty   around   the   investment   plans  
for  their  local  supply.  These  milestone  dates  should  be  tracked  and  publically  reported  by  Irish  Water.  

Section  2.5.3  Audits  

During   2013   the   EPA   conducted   53   audits   (Appendix   7)   of   public   drinking   water   supplies   across   18   local  
authority  areas;  34  were  scheduled  audits  and  19  were  reactive  audits.  Audits,  particularly  reactive  audits,  
tend  to  be  undertaken  at  problem  supplies  following  notification  of  an  exceedance  or  the  identification  of  
another  supply  issue.  15  audits  were  undertaken  of  supplies  where  a  boil  water  or  water  restriction  notice  
was   active   during   the   year.   A   summary   of   the   main   compliance   issues   identified   across   the   53   audits  
completed  is  provided  below,  under  the  following  headings:  

source   treatment   distribuWon  

 

 
Audit  Findings:  Source  
Of  the  53  audits  undertaken  during  2013,  19  of  the  supplies  used  surface  water  as  their  raw  water  source.  19  
were   groundwater-­‐fed   and   15   supplies   sourced   their   water   from   springs   only.   During   an   EPA   audit,   the  
adequacy   of   source   protection   measures   in   the   catchment   and   in   the   immediate   area   of   the   abstraction  
point  is  appraised.  The  main  findings  in  relation  to  source  protection  at  the  53  supplies  audited  were:  

17  
 Audit  Findings  -­‐  Source    (Total  =  53)  
26   16   8   5  
supplies  had   supplies  were  using   supplies  using  spring  or   supplies  using  spring  or  
inadequate  source   uncovered  springs  or   groundwater  sources   groundwater  sources  
protection.  27  supplies   poorly  protected  wells.   had  microbiological   showed  evidence  of  
had  adequate  source   contamination  in  the   surface  water  ingress.  
 
protection.   raw  water.  
 
Poor  source  protection  measures  in  catchments  or  zones  of  contribution  and  poorly  protected  well  
heads  or  springs  can  lead  to  the  contamination  of  the  source  water.  Disinfection  can  address  some  
contaminants  but  not  all.  Supplies  with  inadequate  source  protection  that  do  not  have  a  treatment  
barrier  are  at  risk  of  entry  of  Cryptosporidium  into  the  supply.    
Adequate  source  protection  is  critical  to  ensuring  supply  safety  and  security.  

Where  source  protection  was  recorded  as  inadequate  the  EPA  audit  report  issued  subsequently  to  the  Water  
Services   Authority   sought   that   either   source   protection   be   enhanced   or   that   the   suitability   of   the   current  
treatment  be  critically  assessed  to  determine  if  it  was  adequate  to  ensure  safe  drinking  water.  

Audit  Findings:    Treatment  

The  majority  of  an  EPA  audit  is  dedicated  to  a  detailed,  critical  appraisal  of  the  treatment  process.  The  first  
metric  of  a  treatment  plant  to  be  examined  is  the  treatment  capacity.  Of  53  audits  completed  during  2013,  2  
supplies   (Corofin   and   Birr)   were   found   to   be   operating   above   110%   of   their   design   capacity.   A   further   3  
supplies  (Corofin,  Letterkenny,  and  Roscommon  Central)  were  found  to  be  by-­‐passing  part  of  the  treatment  
process;  filters  were  being  bypassed  in  each  case.  

Enforcement  Case  Study  –  Roscommon  Central  Public  Water  Supply  

Roscommon  County  Council  notified  the  EPA  of  the  detection  of  Cryptosporidium  in  the  Roscommon  
Central  Public  Water  Supply  on  Friday  26/04/2013.  Consultation  with  the  HSE  confirmed  5  cases  of  
illness  in  the  community  and  a  boil  water  notice  was  imposed  the  same  day  on  5,500  people.  The  
EPA  audited  the  supply.  The  main  findings  were:    
-­‐ The  two  spring  sources  were  heavily  influenced  by  surface  water  and  therefore  required  a  
treatment  barrier  to  prevent  Cryptosporidium  entering  the  water  supply.  
-­‐ The  existing  treatment  plants  at  the  Ballinagard  and  Rockfield  springs  were  not  capable  of  
treating  raw  water  to  give  an  appropriate  degree  of  protection  against  Cryptosporidium  and  
were  therefore  not  fit  for  purpose.  
-­‐ The  construction  of  a  new  treatment  plant  to  replace  the  two  old  plants  was  being  tendered  
but  was  unlikely  to  be  in  place  for  18  to  24  months.  
 
The  audit  report  was  issued  to  Roscommon  County  Council.  The  EPA  
requested  the  Council  to  submit,  within  a  month,  an  action  plan  to  
prevent  the  entry  of  Cryptosporidium  and  to  ensure  the  supply  is  both  
safe  and  secure.  Roscommon  County  Council  submitted  the  action  plan  
and  the  EPA  directed  the  Council  to  implement  the  action  plan.    
 
Roscommon  County  Council  completed  the  installation  and  
commissioning  of  an  interim  water  treatment  plant  to  prevent  the  
entry  of  Cryptosporidium  into  the  water  supply  by  06/08/2013.  An  EPA  
audit  the  next  working  day  confirmed  that  the  interim  treatment  plant  
was  operating  satisfactorily.  The  boil  water  notice  was  subsequently  lifted.  
Temporary  treatment  operating    
at  the  Roscommon  Central  PWS  
 

18  
The  two  key  processes  in  water  treatment  are  chemical  treatment  and  disinfection.  Audit  findings  in  relation  
to  both  are  summarised  below.    
Audit  Findings:  Chemical  Treatment  
All  public  water  supplies  using  surface  water  sources  or  using  groundwater  sources  which  are  influenced  by  
surface  water  are  required  to  have  in  place  a  treatment  barrier.  Chemical  treatment  functions  as  a  barrier  to  
remove  contaminants  and  particulate  matter  from  water,  treating  it  to  the  required  standard  and  to  prevent  
entry   of   Cryptosporidium   into   the   water   supply.   22   of   the   supplies   audited   by   the   EPA   during   2013   had  
chemical  treatment  in  place.  
 
Audit  Findings  –  Chemical  Treatment  (Total  =  22)    

10   7   7   6    
 
supplies  had  problems   supplies  had  turbidity   supplies  had   supplies  had  floc  
with  the  operation  of   >  1.0  NTU  after   inadequate  chemical   carryover  from  the    
filters.     filtration.  A  further  6   dosing.  1  supply  was   clarifiers.      
did  not  have  a  turbidity   using  unapproved  or    
   
monitor  on  each  filter.       out-­‐of-­‐date  chemicals.    
Floc  carryover  indicates  poor  control  over  chemical  dosing.  Poor  operation  of  filters  and  poor    
turbidity  removal  means  that  if  Cryptosporidium  is  present  in  the  source  water  it  is  likely  to  be  in  the  
treated  water  and  may  pose  a  risk  to  human  health.  In  response  to  continued  findings  on  audits  in    
relation  to  chemical  treatment,  in  June  2014  the  EPA  published  an  Advice  Note  on  Optimisation  of    
Chemical  Coagulant  Dosing  at  Water  Treatment  Works18.      
 
Chemical  treatment  requires  careful  management  to  remove  contaminants  and  prevent  entry  of  
 
Cryptosporidium  into  the  supply.  
 

 
Enforcement  Case  Study  –  The  Strand  Public  Water  Supply,  Co.  Laois  
The  EPA  audited  the  Strand  public  water  supply,  County  Laois  on  29/11/2013,  to  assess  compliance    
with  an  EPA  Direction  requiring  upgrade  of  the  disinfection  system.  The  main  findings  were:      
• Upgrade  of  the  disinfection  system  was  partially  complete.  Dial-­‐out  alarms  had  yet  to  be    
commissioned  and  the  chlorine  monitor  had  yet  to  be  linked  to  a  recording  device.    
• There  was  no  turbidity  meter  in  place  on  the  final  water.  An  alarmed  turbidity  meter  linked  to  
a  recording  device  was  required.      
Verification  of  adequate  disinfection  was,  therefore,  not  being  undertaken  and  there  was  no    
verification  that  turbidity  levels  were  not  exceeding  the  recommended  limit.    
   
The  audit  report  was  issued  to  Laois  County  Council.  The  EPA  requested  
 
the  Council  to  submit,  within  a  month,  a  report  on  actions  taken  or  
proposed  to  address  the  audit  recommendations.  By  the  end  of  2013,  the    
Direction  had  not  yet  been  complied  with,  however,  in  July  2014  Laois  
County  Council  and  Irish  water  confirmed  to  the  EPA  that  all  the    
recommendations  made  in  the  audit  report  had  been  acted  upon.  The  EPA    
was  satisfied  with  actions  taken  and  data  submitted  to  verify  these  
actions.  The  EPA’s  investigation  file  was  closed.   New  well  constructed  at    
  The  Strand  PWS,  Co.  Laois.  
 
 
                                                                                                                       
18
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/dwadvicenote15.html    

19  
Audit  Findings:  Disinfection  
As   a   minimum,   all   drinking   water   supplies   should   be   disinfected   to   provide   a   barrier   to   microbiological  
contamination  in  order  to  ensure  the  safety  of  the  final  water  for  drinking.  The  disinfection  system  should  be  
reliable  and  verifiable.  32  supplies  audited  during  2013  did  not  meet  the  minimum  disinfection  criteria  set  
out  by  the  EPA.  

Audit  Findings  –  Disinfection  (Total  =  53)  

12   11   10   19  
supplies  did  not  have  a   supplies  had   supplies  did  not  have   supplies  had  
chlorine  monitor  and   inadequate   duty  and  standby   disinfection  monitors  
alarm.     disinfection  contact   disinfection  dosing.     and  alarms  that  were  
time.  A  further  11  had   not  working  or  not  
   
not  calculated  the   being  responded  to.  
contact  time.  

The  EPA  sets  out  minimum  disinfection  dosing  requirements.  32  supplies  audited  during  2013  did  
not  meet  these  disinfection  criteria.  This  figure  includes  supplies  that  did  not  have  disinfection  
contact  time  calculated.  Inadequate  disinfection  contact  time  can  result  in  insufficient  disinfection  
and  the  entry  of  microorganisms  into  the  supply.  Duty  and  standby  dosing  equipment  is  necessary  to  
provide  disinfection  security  in  the  event  of  pump  failure.  The  absence  of  a  working  chlorine  monitor  
means  that  the  adequacy  of  disinfection  cannot  be  verified.  A  working  alarm  is  required  in  order  to  
alert  the  operator  to  any  issues  that  might  arise.  

Reliable  and  verifiable  disinfection  is  critical  to  ensuring  supply  safety  and  security.  

Audit  Findings:  Distribution  

Treated   water   can   encounter   a   number   of   hazards   after   it   enters   the   distribution   system   or   storage  
reservoirs  which  have  the  potential  to  compromise  drinking  water  security,  and  consequently,  its  safety.  33  
of   the   supplies   audited   during   2013   had   treated   water   storage   tanks   as   part   of   their   infrastructure.   Ten  
supplies’  treated  water  storage  tanks  or  reservoirs  did  not  have  adequately  sealed  vents  to  prevent  animal  
access  to  treated  water  which  can  result  in  contamination.  

Adequately  sealed  reservoir  vents  preventing  animal  access  

20  
Section  2.5.4  Directions  and  Prosecutions  
Following   an   exceedance   of   a   parametric   value   or   a   finding   made   during   an   audit,   the   EPA   may   issue   a  
Direction   under   the   Drinking   Water   Regulations   if   it   is   not   satisfied   that   the   actions   taken   by   the   water  
supplier  are  adequate  or  if  proposed  actions  are  required  to  be  completed  within  a  particular  timeframe.      

The  EPA  issued  16  legally  binding  Directions  to  7  Local  Authorities  during  2013.  

Directions  Issued  
6   5   4   1  
issued  for  Quality  of   issued  for  Protection   issued  for  other   issued  for  Remedial  
Treatment  and  Distribution   of  Human  Health   purposes  deemed   Action  Programmes    
equipment  and  materials   (Regulation  9)   appropriate  by  EPA   (Regulation  10)  
(Regulation  13)   (Regulation  16)  
 

Directions  are  used  by  the  EPA  where  necessary  to  ensure  that  works  are  carried  out  to  provide  safe  and  
secure  drinking  water.  

Compliance  with  directions  is  legally  binding  and  the  EPA  can  enforce  the  directions  through  the  courts.    

The  reasons  for  issue  of  16  Directions  during  2013  and  the  status  of  the  Directions  at  the  end  of  2013  are  
tabulated  below19.  
Table  2:  Directions  issued  during  2013  –  reason  for  issue  and  status  at  end  of  2013.  
WSA   Supply   Reason  for  Direction   Date  issued   Status  of  2013  Directions  
Inadequate  disinfection  system  and  
Laois     Ballinakill  1   15/03/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
unsuitable  raw  water  source.  
Laois     Abbeyleix  2     Inadequate  disinfection  system.   08/04/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
Laois     Roundwood   Inadequate  disinfection  system.   08/04/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
Roscommon  
Roscommon   Inadequate  Cryptosporidium  barrier.   28/06/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
Central    
Clare     Kilkeedy   Inadequate  disinfection  system.   19/07/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
Inadequate  disinfection  system  and  
Clare     Corofin     19/07/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
turbidity  monitoring.  
Inadequate  source  protection  in  the  
Sligo     Lough  Talt   23/07/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
catchment.  
Inadequate  Cryptosporidium  barrier-­‐  
Roscommon   Boyle  Ardcarne   26/07/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
prepare  action  plan.  
Failure  to  notify  EPA  of  an  aluminium  
Carlow     Carrigduff     27/09/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
exceedance.  
Clare     Bridgetown   Inadequate  disinfection.       27/09/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
Ballany  High  Level   Failure  to  notify  EPA  of  a  fluoride  
Westmeath   27/09/2013   Direction  complied  with.  
Reservoir   exceedance.  
Direction  deadline  has  not  yet  
Roscommon   SRRWSS  Kileglan     Inadequate  Cryptosporidium  barrier.   26/11/2013  
passed.      
Lough  Gill     Trihalomethane  exceedances  and   Direction  complied  with.  Action  
Sligo     14/03/2013  
(Cairns  Hill)   inadequate  Cryptosporidium  barrier.   programme  being  implemented.    
Deadline  has  passed-­‐substantial  
Inadequate  Cryptosporidium  barrier-­‐  
Roscommon   Boyle  Ardcarne   05/09/2013   progress  made.  EPA  supervising  
implement  action  plan.  
ongoing  works  until  complete.      
EPA  enforcement  action  ongoing  
Clare     O  Brien’s  Bridge   Inadequate  disinfection  system.   27/09/2013  
at  the  end  of  2013.  
Inadequate  disinfection  system  and   EPA  enforcement  action  ongoing  
Mayo     Treannagleeragh   08/10/2013    
Cryptosporidium  barrier.       at  the  end  of  2013.  
         

                                                                                                                       
19
 During  2014  legal  proceedings  were  initiated  in  relation  to  three  of  these  directions.  

21  
A   number   of   Directions   issued   prior   to   2013   remained   open   and   were   actively   pursued   by   the   EPA   during  
2013.  A  summary  of  these  directions  and  an  update  on  their  status  is  provided  in  Table  3.      

Table  3:  Directions  issued  prior  to  2013  -­‐  reason  for  issue  and  status  at  end  of  2013.  

WSA   Supply   Reason  for  Direction   Issue  date   Status  at  end  2013  

Sligo   North  Sligo     Iron  and  Turbidity  exceedances  and   24-­‐Sep-­‐07   Action  Programme  being  
inadequate  disinfection  system.       implemented  by  Local  Authority  
Mayo     L.  Mask  RWSS     Trihalomethanes  exceedances.       21-­‐Apr-­‐09   WSA  prosecuted  for  non-­‐compliance  
with  Direction.  EPA  supervising  
ongoing  works  until  complete.      
Roscommon     Castlerea  Urban     No  Cryptosporidium  barrier  in  place   08-­‐Nov-­‐10   Direction  not  complied  with.  Further  
and  no  action  plan  submitted   EPA  enforcement  action  being  
considered.  
Clare   Ennis  PWS   No  timeframe  submitted  for  the   06-­‐Jan-­‐11   Direction  not  complied  with.  Further  
removal  of  lead  mains  in  the   EPA  enforcement  action  being  
network   considered.  
Donegal   Letterkenny  PWS   Trihalomethanes  exceedances.       24-­‐Mar-­‐11   Direction  not  complied  with.      
Donegal   Fintown   Trihalomethane  exceedances.   24-­‐Mar-­‐11   Direction  not  complied  with.  Further  
EPA  enforcement  action  being  
considered.  
Donegal   Cashilard   Trihalomethane  exceedances.   24-­‐Mar-­‐11   Direction  not  complied  with.  Further  
EPA  enforcement  action  being  
considered.  
Donegal   Ballyshannon   Trihalomethanes  exceedances.       24-­‐Mar-­‐11   Direction  complied  with  during  2013.  
PWS  
Donegal   Gortahork/   Trihalomethane  exceedances.   09-­‐Sep-­‐11   Direction  not  complied  with.  Further  
Falcarragh   EPA  enforcement  action  being  
considered.    
Donegal   Rathmullen  PWS   Trihalomethane  exceedances.   09-­‐Sep-­‐11   Direction  not  complied  with.    Further  
EPA  enforcement  action  being  
considered.  
Donegal   Greencastle     Trihalomethane  exceedances.   09-­‐Sep-­‐11   Direction  not  complied  with.  Further  
EPA  enforcement  action  being  
considered.  
Donegal   Portnoo  Narin     Trihalomethane  exceedances.   09-­‐Sep-­‐11   Direction  not  complied  with.  Further  
EPA  enforcement  action  being  
considered.  
Galway   Kilkerrin   No  Cryptosporidium  barrier.       26-­‐Sep-­‐11   Action  programme  is  being  
Moylough   implemented  by  the  WSA  
Kerry   Lisardboola  and   Replacement  of  WSA-­‐owned  lead   28-­‐Sep-­‐11   Direction  deadline  was  the  end  of  
 
Lisloose   pipework.     December  2013.  
Cork   Mallow     Replacement  of  WSA-­‐owned  lead   28-­‐Sep-­‐11   Direction  deadline  was  the  end  of  
pipework.       December  2013.  
Laois     The  Strand   Inadequate  disinfection  system.       19-­‐Oct-­‐12   Action  programme  is  being  
implemented  by  the  WSA  
         

No  prosecutions  were  initiated  by  the  EPA  during  2013  for  the  failure  of  a  WSA  to  comply  with  a  Direction  
relating   to   provision   of   drinking   water.   In   2014,   the   EPA   initiated   three   prosecutions   in   relation   to  
Letterkenny  Public  Water  Supply,  Co.  Donegal;  Lissardboola  and  Lisloose  Public  Water  Supply,  Co.  Kerry  and  
at  Treannagleeragh  Public  Water  Supply,  Co.  Mayo.  

   

22  
Section  3:  Private  Supplies  
Private   supplies   are   operated,   managed   and   are   the   responsibility   of   private   individuals   or   organisations.  
Details  of  2,853  Private  supplies  operating  in  2013  were  reported  to  the  EPA  by  local  authorities.  

• 614  Public  Group  Water  Schemes  serving  104,584  people  (2.3  %  of  population)  
• 438  Private  Group  Water  Schemes  serving  193,380  people  (4.2%  of  population)  
• 1,801  Small  Private  Supplies  serving  38,335  people  (0.8%  of  population).  

Section  3.1:  Quality  and  Safety  of  Regulated  Private  Supplies  

66,074   test   results   for   private  supplies   were   submitted   to   the   EPA   for   assessment.  The   overall   compliance  
rate   for   these   regulated   private   supplies,   based   on   sample   compliance,   was   97.53   %   for   Microbiological  
parameters,  99.57  %  for  Chemical  parameters  and  97.28  %  for  Indicator  parameters.    

A  summary  of  compliance  with  the  parametric  limits  in  the  regulations  is  set  out  in  Appendix  2  (Public  Group  
Water   Schemes),   Appendix   3   (Private   Group   Water   Scheme)   and   Appendix   4   (Small   Private   Supplies).   An  
explanation  of  the  significance  of  each  of  the  parameters  described  in  the  report  is  available  at;  

 http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwaterauditreports/parameterappendix.html.  

2,070  supplies  were  fully  compliant  for  E.  coli,  but  96  supplies  had  samples  taken  that  failed.    

All   supplies   were   100%   compliant   for   12   of   the   chemical   parameters.   For   a   further   seven   parameters,   a  
single   sample   failed   each.   Of   the   remaining   parameters,   2   samples   (2   supplies)   failed   the   Copper   standard20,  
5  samples  (5  supplies)  failed  the  Fluoride  standard,  11  samples  (9  supplies)  failed  the  nitrate  standard  and  34  
samples   (33   supplies)   failed   the   Trihalomethanes   standard.   Two   supplies   (3   samples)   failed   the   individual  
pesticide  standard.  

The   majority   of   the   failures   set   out   in   Appendices   2,   3   and   4   relate   to   “indicator”   parameters.   Indicator  
parameters   are   designed   to   provide   information   on   the   management   of   the   treatment   process,   the   look,  
taste   and   smell   of   the   water.   A   value   reported   to   exceed   the   limit   for   an   indicator   parameter   should   not,  
automatically,   be   considered   a   cause   for   concern   but   a   guide   for   the   water   supplier   to   initiate   an  
investigation  into  the  cause  of  the  elevated  level  of  the  particular  parameter.  

34%  of  the  private  supply  test  results  were  reported  as  accredited  results.    

The  number  of  supplies  testing  positive  for   E.  coli  decreased  from  174  in  2012  to  96  in  2013.  The  majority  of  
these   supplies   are   small   private   supplies.   For   the   group   water   sector,   significant   improvement   has   been  
achieved  in  compliance  with  the  E.  coli  parameter  in  the  past  decade.  E.  coli  compliance  in  the  group  water  
sector   in   2013   was   98.7%   compared   to   85.5%   in   this   sector   in   2004.   Further   improvements   are   needed   in  
small  private  supplies  –  E.coli  compliance  at  96.2%  lags  behind  both  public  supplies  (99.9%)  and  the  group  
water  sector  (98.7%).  

                                                                                                                       
20
 A  failure  of  the  Copper  standard  is  an  indication  of  internal  copper  plumbing  in  a  building  or  property  rather  than  a  
problem  with  the  water  supply  served  to  that  building/property.  

23  
 350  

300  

250  

200  

150  

100  

50  

0  
2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013  
 

Figure  6:  Trend  in  the  number  of  private  supplies  where  E.  coli  was  detected.  

Trihalomethanes,  a  by-­‐product  of  the  chlorination  (disinfection)  process,  are  undesirable  in  drinking  water  
and   their   presence   should   be   minimised   while   not   compromising   disinfection.   Further   details   on  
Trihalomethanes   is   contained   in   Section   2.5.1   and   Appendix   8.   Compliance   with   the   Trihalomethanes  
standard  in  private  supplies  remains  low  at  91.1  %.  The  majority  of  supplies  are  in  counties  Cavan,  Galway,  
Kerry,   Longford   and   Mayo.   33   supplies   exceeded   the   standard   of   100   µg/l   and   4   of   these   had   levels   of  
Trihalomethanes  greater  than  150  µg/l,  with  the  highest  result  of  204  µg/l  in  the  Brackloon  /  Spaddagh  GWS,  
County  Mayo.  

The  lead  standard  for  drinking  water  changed  on  25/12/2013  from  25  µg/l  to  10  µg/l.  Further  details  on  lead  
is  contained  in  Section  2.5.1  and  Appendix  8.  Results  submitted  for  2013  indicate  only  one  supply  with  a  lead  
exceedance   (in   County   Tipperary).   This   high   rate   of   compliance   should   be   examined   further   by   water  
suppliers  and  local  authorities  to  determine  the  extent  of  lead  piping  in  the  private  supply  network  and  to  
ensure   that   the   overall   compliance   rate   does   not   reflect   an   incomplete   lead   monitoring   programme   for  
private  supplies.  

There  are  two  standards  for  pesticides  in  the  drinking  water  regulations.  The  standard  for  Total  Pesticides  
(0.5   µg/l)   was   exceeded   in   one   supply   in   Monaghan.   The   standard   for   individual   pesticides   (0.1   µg/l)   was  
exceeded  in  3  samples  in  Cavan  (2  supplies).  

The  standard  for  nitrates  (50  mg/l)  was  exceeded  in  nine  supplies  in  Carlow,  Cork,  Kilkenny,  Waterford  and  
Wicklow.  The  highest  nitrate  result  was  61.6  mg/l  in  County  Cork.  Further  details  on  nitrates  are  contained  in  
Section  2.5.1  and  Appendix  8.  

The   Aluminium   standard   of   200   µg/l   was   exceeded   in   22   supplies   during   2013.   Aluminium   is   present   in  
drinking   water   as   a   result   of   its   use   as   aluminium   sulphate   (a   coagulant)   in   the   water   treatment   process,  
though  can  be  naturally  present  in  some  waters.  Historically,  there  has  been  some  concern  about  possible  
links   between   aluminium   in   drinking   water   and   Alzheimer’s   disease.   However,   the   WHO   states   that:   “On   the  
whole,   the   positive   relationship   between   aluminium   in   drinking   water   and   Alzheimer’s   disease   which   was  
demonstrated  in  several  epidemiological  studies,  cannot  be  totally  discounted.  However,  strong  reservations  
about   inferring   a   causal   relationship   are   warranted   in   view   of   the   failure   of   these   studies   to   account   for  
demonstrated   confounding   factors   and   for   the   total   aluminium   intake   from   all   sources”.   In   recognition   of  

24  
poor  coagulation  processes  observed  during  audits  of  treatment  plants  the  EPA  published  Advice  Note  15  –  
Optimisation  of  Chemical  Coagulation  Dosing  in  201421.    

The   turbidity   limit   of   1.0   NTU   at   the   treatment   plant   was   exceeded   in   48   supplies.   The   control   of   turbidity   is  
one  of  the  indicators  of  the  efficiency  of  treatment  at  the  plant.  Elevated  levels  of  turbidity  in  the  treated  
water  indicate  that  the  treatment  process  is  not  operating  adequately.  It  also  provides  a  good  indication  of  
whether  the  treatment  plant  is  capable  of  removing  Cryptosporidium  oocysts.  While  the  parametric  value  for  
turbidity  (at  the  tap)  is  that  the  water  must  be  “acceptable  to  consumers  and  [there  must  be]  no  abnormal  
change”   there   is   a   parametric   value   for   turbidity   (for   water   leaving   the   treatment   plant)   of   1.0   NTU.  
However,  it  must  be  stressed  that  this  value  is  for  visual  acceptability  of  the  water.  In  practice  turbidity  levels  
need  to  be  much  lower  and  should  not  exceed  0.2  NTU  and  preferably  be  below  0.1  NTU  to  be  protective  
against   Cryptosporidium   breakthrough   in   the   treatment   plant.   Technical   guidance   for   operators   on   the  
importance   of   reducing   turbidity   has   been   published   by   the   EPA   in   the   EPA   Water   Treatment   Manual   on  
Disinfection22  and  in  the  EPA  Advice  Note  No  5:  Turbidity  in  Drinking  Water23.  

Section  3.2:  Enforcement  and  Security  of  Regulated  Private  Supplies  

Local   authorities   are   the   supervisory   authorities   for   private   water   supplies.   The   results   from   2013  
demonstrate  that  there  are  compliance  challenges  in  this  sector.  In  particular  improvements  are  needed  in  
small  private  supplies.  E.  coli  was  detected  in  63  small  private  supplies  compared  to  detection  in  33  group  
schemes  (up  from  27  in  2012).  While  the  detections  in  small  private  supplies  were  down  from  147  in  2012  
the  numbers  found  with  E.  coli  are  still  not  acceptable.    

Water  quality  in  the  private  water  supply  sector  lags  significantly  behind  the  quality  in  the  public  network.  
Local   authorities   should   use   the   powers   available   to   them   under   the   drinking   water   regulations   to   drive  
improvements  in  water  quality.  

Cryptosporidium  results  were  not  submitted  for  private  supplies  in  2013.  Cryptosporidium  is  not  one  of  the  
48  parameters  listed  in  the  drinking  water  regulations,  for  which  monitoring  is  specified.  However,  the  EPA  
has   through   the   EPA   Advice   Note   No.   9:   Cryptosporidium   Sampling   and   Monitoring   provided   guidance   on  
Cryptosporidium  monitoring.  During  2013  the  notification  of  Cryptosporidium  detections  was  only  required  
in   cases   where   the   local   authority,   in   consultation,   with   the   HSE   considered   the   supply   a   potential   danger   to  
human   health.   This   requirement   has   now   changed   and   under   the   2014   regulations   water   suppliers   should  
notify  their  supervisory  authority  of  any  detections  of  Cryptosporidium  in  the  supply.  

The   National   Federation   of   Group   Water   Schemes   (NFGWS)   provides   a   key   role   in   improving   group   water  
schemes   and   in   the   provision   of   guidance   and   training   to   the   operators   of   these   schemes.   Recently   the  
NFGWS  have  published  a  guide  to  the  implementation  of  Quality  Assurance  (HACCP)  System  for  the  group  
water   sector.   This   practical   guidance   provides   essential   advice   to   operators   on   managing   and   monitoring  
their  supplies.  The  guide  follows  the  principles  of  the  Water  Safety  Plan  approach.  

Section  3.3:  Exempted  Private  Supplies  

Private   water   supplies   providing   water   to   individual   private   dwellings   are   exempt   from   regulation.   It   is  
estimated   that   30%   of   private   wells   in   Ireland   are   contaminated   by   E.   coli   arising   from   animal   or   human  
waste.  The  HSE  has  reported  a  growing  number  of  cases  of  VTEC  –  a  pathogenic  form  of  E.coli.  Analysis  of  
cases  shows  that  patients  are  up  to  four  times  more  likely  to  have  consumed  untreated  water  from  private  
wells.    
                                                                                                                       
21
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/dwadvicenote15.html    
22
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/watertreatmentmanualdisinfection.html    
23
 Available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/epadrinkingwateradvicenoteno5.html    

25  
Ireland   has   the   highest   incidence   of   VTEC   in   Europe.   Since   2011,   the   HSE   has   reported   a   doubling   of   the  
number  of  VTEC  cases  in  Ireland  (284  in  2011,  554  in  2012  and  704  in  2013).  Animals,  particularly  cattle  are  
the  main  source  of  VTEC  and  infection  is  spread  either  from  direct  animal  contact  or  through  contaminated  
food   and   water.   Person   to   person   spread   is   also   common.   In   other   countries   the   most   common   source   of  
infection  is  through  food  outbreaks.  

In  Ireland,  rural  families  are  commonly  affected  and  much  of  this  is  because  of  contaminated  private  wells.  
Consumers  of  water  from  private  wells  at  much  greater  risk  of  VTEC  than  those  who  drink  water  from  mains  
supplies.    

Disinfection   kills   all   E.   coli   including   VTEC   and,   while   public   water   supplies   are   disinfected,   not   all   private  
wells  are.  The  EPA  is  providing  easy  to  use  information  at  http://www.epa.ie/water/dw/hhinfo/  explaining  
what  well  owners  should  do  to  protect  their  health.  The  information  includes  a  short  animation  to  explain  
the  risks  to  well  water  quality  and  the  simple  things  that  can  be  done  to  reduce  the  risks.    

A   ‘Protect   your   Well’   assessment   app   is   now   available   at   http://erc.epa.ie/water/wells/.   Well   owners   can  
assess  whether  their  wells  are  at  risk  in  less  than  10  minutes  using  this  simple  app.  It  provides  well  owners  
with  tailored  advice  on  how  they  can  reduce  the  risk  of  contamination  in  their  well.  

Figure  7:  EPA  Infographic  on  Private  Wells  

26  
Section  4:  Recommendations  
The   recommendations   presented   in   the   report   are   based   on   the   EPA’s   findings   on   drinking   water   quality  
during  2013,  on  findings  from  EPA  audits  and  on  the  need  to  implement  the  requirements  of  the  Drinking  
Water  Regulations  which  implement  the  Drinking  Water  Directive  in  Ireland.  Previous  EPA  reports  will  have  
contained   similar   recommendations   and   in   some   cases   progress   in   implementing   remedial   measures   and  
improvements  has  been  slow,  often  delayed  by  underinvestment  in  water  services.  

Section  4.1:  Public  Water  Supplies  

The  recommendations  listed  below  cover  public  water  supplies  and  are  aimed  at  Irish  Water.  

Action
needed Remove  Boil  Water  No0ces  by  improving  disinfec0on  standards.  
Implement  a  na0onal  lead  strategy.  
Op0mise  chemical  dosing  and  reduce  THM  exceedances.  
Priori0se  RAL  schemes  for  improvement  /  investment.  
Protect  sources  and  abstrac0on  points.  
Develop  Drinking  Water  Safety  Plans.

     

Source  Protection  
• Develop  catchment-­‐based  measures  (including  water  safety  plans)  aimed  at  improving  the  quality  of  
drinking   water   sources   including   specific   measures   to   address   risk   from   pesticide   use   and   excess  
nitrate  run-­‐off  in  drinking  water  catchments.  

• Implement  raw  water  monitoring  programmes  to  inform  treatment  system  design.  
 
Treatment  Plants  
• Elimination   (and   prevention)   of   supplies   on   long-­‐term   boil   water   notices   and   restrictions   as   a  
matter  of  priority  by  fast  tracking  the  necessary  improvement  works.  

- Provide   Cryptosporidium   barriers   on   all   surface   water   or   surface   water-­‐influenced  

groundwater  supplies.  

- Meet  the  disinfection  criteria  as  published  by  the  EPA.    

• Publish  comprehensive  programmes,  with  timeframes  for  key  milestones,  for  EPA  Remedial  Action  
List  supplies.    

• Implement  an  optimisation  programme  for  chemical  dosing  and  review/upgrade  of  chemical  dosing  
processes  in  supplies  in  order  to  reduce  trihalomethanes  and  aluminium  exceedances.    

• Implement  adequate  out  of  hours  response  backed  up  by  suitable,  real-­‐time  monitoring  of  process  
parameters  and  alarms.  

• Deliver   resilient   treatment   plants   able   to   cope   with   severe   weather   and   changes   in   the   nature   of  
raw  water  sources.  

• Develop  a  structure  for   minimum  qualification,  training  and  experience  standards  for  water  service  
employees  in  key  operations  positions  (for  example  supervisors  and  plant  operators).  
 
27  
Distribution  Network    
• Finalise  and  implement  the  national  lead  strategy  to  ensure  compliance  with  the  lead  standard.  

• Develop   and   implement   a   national   programme   for   reservoir   protection   (including   works   to  
safeguard  post-­‐treatment  water,  inspection,  cleaning  and  maintenance).  

• Develop  and  implement  a  national  mains  cleaning  and  maintenance  programme.  

• Identification  and  remediation  of  pipelines  with  regular  bursts  and  colour  issues.  
 
Management,  Control  and  Communications  
• Roll  out  the  Water  Safety  Plan  approach  in  all  supplies  and  as  a  guide  to  future  capital  investment.  

• National  Drinking  Water  Incident  Response  Plans  should  be  in  place  to  cover  emergency  situations.    

• Implement  measures  to  improve  quality  and  consistency  of  management  and  operation  of  water  
supplies.  

• All  public  supplies  should  be  monitored  for  E.coli.  

• Monitoring  results  submitted  to  the  EPA  after  the  end  of  2015  must  be  accredited.  
 
   

28  
Section  4.2:  Private  Water  Supplies  
The   recommendations   listed   below   cover   private   water   supplies   and   are   aimed   at   the   water   supplier   and  
local  authorities  as  the  supervisory  authority  for  these  supplies.    

• All  private  supplies  should  be  monitored  for  E.coli.  

• Failures   to   meet   the   microbiological,   chemical   and   indicator   parametric   values   in   private   water  
supplies   must   be   investigated   to   ensure   that   the   cause   of   the   failure   is   identified   and   the  
appropriate  corrective  action  is  taken.    
• Local  authorities  should  take  the  appropriate  enforcement  action  where  there  is  evidence  that  such  
investigations  and  actions  are  not  being  undertaken.  
• Group   Water   Schemes   should   implement   the   guidance   developed   by   the   National   Federation   of  
Group  Water  Schemes  on  Quality  Assurance  (HACCP)  System.    
• A   programme   of   monitoring   for   Cryptosporidium   and   lead   should   be   undertaken   in   private   supplies  
to  determine  the  extent  of  its  presence.  
 

Section  4.3:  Exempted  Supplies  (individual  private  supplies)  

The   recommendations   listed   below   cover   exempted   supplies   and   are   aimed   at   the   owners   of   individual  
supplies  such  as  wells  and  boreholes.    

• Well   owners   should   check   their   wells   to   ensure   that   their   health   is   not   at   risk:   This   includes  
checking  that  there  are  no  sources  of  pollution  entering  the  well  and  testing  the  water,  at  least  once  
a   year,   ideally   following   heavy   rain   when   the   well   is   most   at   risk   of   contamination.   The   EPA   has  
provided   easy   to   use   information   at   http://www.epa.ie/water/dw/hhinfo/   explaining   what   well  
owners  should  do  to  protect  their  health.  

Figure  8:  EPA  Infographic  on  Private  Wells  

29  
Section  5:  Appendices  
 

Appendices  1,  2,  3  and  4  list  compliance  results  and  percentages  for  four  groups  of  regulated  
drinking  water  supplies:    

• Public  Water  Supplies    

• Public  Group  Schemes    
• Private  Group  Schemes    
• Small  Private  Supplies.  

Appendix   5   lists   the   69   Boil   Notices   and   Water   Restriction   Notices   in   place   on   Public   Water  
Supplies  during  2013.  

Appendix  6  lists,  for  each  county  or  area  the  details  of  Remedial  Action  List  supplies.  

Appendix  7  lists,  for  each  county  or  area,  the  microbiological  and  chemical  compliance  rates  in  
public   supplies,   the   number   of   boil   notice   and   water   restrictions   and   population   affected   and  
selected  enforcement  information  (audits,  directions,  RAL).  

Appendix  8  contains  extracts  of  the  following  joint  HSE/EPA  position  papers:  

• Trihalomethanes  
• Nitrate  
• Lead  

Appendix  9  is  an  infographic  of  the  Drinking  Water  Report  2013.  

30  
Appendix  1:  Public  Water  Supplies  –  Zones  Monitored  and  Samples  Analysed  in  2013  
No.  of   No  of  Zones   %  of   No.  of   No.  of   %  of  
Parameter   Zones   with   Zones   Samples   Samples   Samples  
  Monitored   Exceedances   Complying   Analysed   Exceeding   Complying  
Microbiological                
E.  coli   936   10   98.9   10159   11   99.9  
Enterococci   671   8   98.8   2039   11   99.5  
Chemical              
1,2-­‐dichloroethane   583   0   100   1129   0   100  
Antimony   503   1   99.8   997   1   99.9  
Arsenic   520   1   99.8   1065   1   99.9  
Benzene   584   0   100   1128   0   100  
Benzo(a)pyrene   520   0   100   950   0   100  
Boron   539   0   100   1054   0   100  
Bromate   601   1   99.8   1094   1   99.9  
Cadmium   573   0   100   1136   0   100  
Chromium   573   0   100   1136   0   100  
Copper   628   3   99.5   1326   4   99.7  
Cyanide   439   0   100   865   0   100  
Fluoride   677   27   96.0   3025   33   98.9  
Lead   722   11   98.5   2134   13   99.4  
Mercury   519   0   100   1028   0   100  
Nickel   625   0   100   1205   0   100  
Nitrate   763   7   99.1   4087   8   99.8  
Nitrite  (at  tap)   693   0   100   4652   0   100  
Nitrites  (at  WTW)   70   0   100   482   0   100  
PAH   516   0   100   948   0   100  
Pesticides  -­‐  Total   574   0   100   1054   0   100  
Selenium   509   0   100   1008   0   100  
Tetrachloroethene  &  
Trichloroethene   583   0   100   1124   0   100  
Total  Trihalomethanes   628   61   90.3   1319   104   92.1  
Indicator              
Aluminium   707   40   94.3   7495   82   98.9  
Ammonium   936   7   99.3   10151   11   99.9  
Chloride   621   1   99.8   1201   1   99.9  
Clostridium  perfringens   681   19   97.2   8392   23   99.7  
Coliform  Bacteria   936   83   91.1   10158   128   98.7  
Colony  Count  @  22°C   623   17   97.3   1350   18   98.7  
Colour   937   58   93.8   10315   144   98.6  
Conductivity   927   0   100   10552   0   100  
Iron   775   43   94.5   6480   116   98.2  
Manganese   639   25   96.1   2284   38   98.3  
Odour   910   57   93.7   10007   240   97.6  
pH   937   194   79.3   10367   388   96.3  
Sodium   620   1   99.8   1186   1   99.9  
Sulphate   616   0   100   1162   0   100  
Taste   815   10   98.8   9178   65   99.3  
Total  Organic  Carbon   572   22   96.2   1102   24   97.8  
Turbidity  (at  tap)   937   16   98.3   10398   16   99.8  
Turbidity  (at  WTW)   159   30   81.1   1539   49   96.8  
Radioactivity              
Total  Indicative  Dose   3   1   66.7   21   0   100  
Tritium   3   0   100   24   0   100  

31  
Appendix  2:  Public  Group  Water  Schemes  –  Zones  Monitored  and  Samples  Analysed  in  2013  
No.  of   No  of  Zones   No.  of   No.  of   %  of  
Parameter   Zones   with   %  of  Zones   Samples   Samples   Samples  
  Monitored   Exceedances   Complying   Analysed   Exceeding   Complying  
Microbiological                
E.  coli   572   1   99.8   1344   1   99.9  
Enterococci   96   0   100   102   0   100  
Chemical              
1,2-­‐dichloroethane   64   0   100   67   0   100  
Antimony   57   0   100   60   0   100  
Arsenic   65   0   100   69   0   100  
Benzene   64   0   100   67   0   100  
Benzo(a)pyrene   77   0   100   80   0   100  
Boron   68   0   100   71   0   100  
Bromate   110   0   100   136   0   100  
Cadmium   65   0   100   69   0   100  
Chromium   65   0   100   69   0   100  
Copper   90   0   100   95   0   100  
Cyanide   54   0   100   57   0   100  
Fluoride   167   4   97.6   304   4   98.7  
Lead   119   0   100   151   0   100  
Mercury   64   0   100   68   0   100  
Nickel   90   0   100   94   0   100  
Nitrate   187   0   100   419   0   100  
Nitrite  (at  tap)   317   0   100   666   0   100  
Nitrites  (at  WTW)   70   0   100   149   0   100  
PAH   65   0   100   68   0   100  
Pesticides  -­‐  Total   75   0   100   78   0   100  
Selenium   57   0   100   60   0   100  
Tetrachloroethene  &  
Trichloroethene   64   0   100   67   0   100  
Trihalomethanes  (Total)   89   19   78.7   94   19   79.8  
Indicator              
Aluminium   442   10   97.7   998   11   98.9  
Ammonium   572   10   98.3   1348   10   99.3  
Chloride   75   0   100   83   0   100  
Clostridium  perfringens   525   2   99.6   1206   2   99.8  
Coliform  Bacteria   572   19   96.7   1346   20   98.5  
Colony  Count  @  22°C   75   1   98.7   78   1   98.7  
Colour   572   9   98.4   1349   15   98.9  
Conductivity   550   0   100   1302   0   100  
Iron   369   12   96.7   772   15   98.1  
Manganese   185   3   98.4   339   3   99.1  
Odour   557   35   93.7   1317   46   96.5  
pH   572   10   98.3   1348   12   99.1  
Sodium   76   0   100   80   0   100  
Sulphate   75   0   100   79   0   100  
Taste   521   1   99.8   1202   1   99.9  
Total  Organic  Carbon   75   4   94.7   81   4   95.1  
Turbidity  (at  tap)   572   4   99.3   1348   4   99.7  
Turbidity  (at  WTW)   73   3   95.9   177   4   97.7  

32  
Appendix  3:  Private  Group  Water  Schemes  –  Zones  Monitored  and  Samples  Analysed  in  2013  
No.  of   No  of  Zones   No.  of   No.  of   %  of  
Parameter   Zones   with   %  of  Zones   Samples   Samples   Samples  
  Monitored   Exceedances   Complying   Analysed   Exceeding   Complying  
Microbiological                
E.  coli   417   32   92.3   1492   36   97.6  
Enterococci   257   8   96.9   313   8   97.4  
Chemical              
1,2-­‐dichloroethane   166   0   100   178   0   100  
Antimony   166   0   100   176   0   100  
Arsenic   167   0   100   177   0   100  
Benzene   166   0   100   178   0   100  
Benzo(a)pyrene   167   0   100   176   0   100  
Boron   238   0   100   249   0   100  
Bromate   238   0   100   248   0   100  
Cadmium   166   0   100   176   0   100  
Chromium   167   0   100   177   0   100  
Copper   243   1   99.6   267   1   99.6  
Cyanide   165   0   100   174   0   100  
Fluoride   237   0   100   293   0   100  
Lead   245   0   100   364   0   100  
Mercury   166   0   100   175   0   100  
Nickel   239   0   100   250   0   100  
Nitrate   336   1   99.7   750   3   99.6  
Nitrite  (at  tap)   323   0   100   847   0   100  
Nitrites  (at  WTW)   8   0   100   15   0   100  
PAH   167   0   100   176   0   100  
Pesticides  -­‐  Total   228   1   99.6   238   1   99.6  
Selenium   166   0   100   176   0   100  
Tetrachloroethene  &  
Trichloroethene   166   0   100   178   0   100  
Trihalomethanes  (Total)   238   14   94.1   268   15   94.4  
Indicator              
Aluminium   328   7   97.9   1000   7   99.3  
Ammonium   417   7   98.3   1490   15   99.0  
Chloride   243   1   99.6   262   1   99.6  
Clostridium  perfringens   335   16   95.2   1137   17   98.5  
Coliform  Bacteria   417   68   83.7   1496   87   94.2  
Colony  Count  @  22°C   239   5   97.9   248   5   98.0  
Colour   417   26   93.8   1496   38   97.5  
Conductivity   417   0   100   1489   0   100  
Iron   335   7   97.9   917   8   99.1  
Manganese   291   10   96.6   565   10   98.2  
Odour   408   15   96.3   1442   22   98.5  
pH   417   27   93.5   1493   42   97.2  
Sodium   241   1   99.6   253   1   99.6  
Sulphate   237   0   100   249   0   100  
Taste   390   0   100   1371   0   100  
Total  Organic  Carbon   238   5   97.9   272   5   98.2  
Turbidity  (at  tap)   417   4   99.0   1502   4   99.7  

33  
Appendix  4:  Small  Private  Supplies  –  Zones  Monitored  and  Samples  Analysed  in  2013  
No.  of   No  of  Zones   No.  of   No.  of   %  of  
Parameter   Zones   with   %  of  Zones   Samples   Samples   Samples  
  Monitored   Exceedances   Complying   Analysed   Exceeding   Complying  
Microbiological                
E.  coli   1177   63   94.6   1705   65   96.2  
Enterococci   503   30   94.0   703   30   95.7  
Chemical              
1,2-­‐dichloroethane   16   0   100   19   0   100  
Antimony   54   1   98.1   63   1   98.4  
Arsenic   83   1   98.8   92   1   98.9  
Benzene   17   0   100   20   0   100  
Benzo(a)pyrene   17   0   100   19   0   100  
Boron   68   0   100   77   0   100  
Bromate   17   1   94.1   20   1   95.0  
Cadmium   172   0   100   186   0   100  
Chromium   172   0   100   186   0   100  
Copper   348   1   99.7   364   1   99.7  
Cyanide   14   0   100   16   0   100  
Fluoride   23   0   100   26   0   100  
Lead   545   1   99.8   636   1   99.8  
Mercury   15   0   100   17   0   100  
Nickel   173   0   100   187   0   100  
Nitrate   780   8   99.0   1058   8   99.2  
Nitrite  (at  tap)   875   1   99.9   1212   1   99.9  
PAH   17   0   100   19   0   100  
Pesticides  -­‐  Total   27   0   100   38   0   100  
Selenium   68   0   100   77   0   100  
Tetrachloroethene  &  
Trichloroethene   18   0   100   21   0   100  
Trihalomethanes  (Total)   17   0   100   20   0   100  
Indicator              
Aluminium   335   5   98.5   594   5   99.2  
Ammonium   1128   18   98.4   1615   25   98.5  
Chloride   218   5   97.7   226   5   97.8  
Clostridium  perfringens   518   27   94.8   713   31   95.7  
Coliform  Bacteria   1177   234   80.1   1704   257   84.9  
Colony  Count  @  22°C   108   22   79.6   111   22   80.2  
Colour   1164   24   97.9   1679   35   97.9  
Conductivity   1122   2   99.8   1596   2   99.9  
Iron   837   60   92.8   1187   67   94.4  
Manganese   561   67   88.1   672   77   88.5  
Odour   1113   20   98.2   1582   20   98.7  
pH   1167   208   82.2   1682   259   84.6  
Sodium   82   15   81.7   97   16   83.5  
Sulphate   15   0   100   17   0   100  
Taste   480   1   99.8   737   1   99.9  
Total  Organic  Carbon   12   1   91.7   14   1   92.9  
Turbidity  (at  tap)   1166   41   96.5   1683   46   97.3  
Radioactivity              
Tritium   1   0   100   1   0   100  
 

34  
 Appendix  5:  Boil  Notices  and  Water  Restrictions  in  place  on  Public  Water  Supplies  during  2013  
Boil  Notice   Affecting  
Population   Date  Notice   Date  Notice  
Area/  County   Scheme  Name   Reason   (BN)/Water   Full  or  Part  
Affected   Issued   Lifted  
Restriction  (WR)   of  Supply  
Cavan   Corgreagh,  Poles   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   10   Full   21/11/2013   19/12/2013  
Cavan   Swanlinbar   Ammonium   WR   315   Full   12/04/2013   19/04/2013  
Clare   Ennis   Lead   WR   252   Part   07/10/2008  
Cork   An  Faithin  Est.  Tarelton   E.  coli   BN   30   Full   01/07/2008   01/08/2014  
Cork   Cluin  Court  Allihies   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   30   Full   30/01/2013   01/08/2014  
Cork   Conna  Regional   Free  Chlorine   BN   2,732   Full   10/04/2013   12/04/2013  
Cork   Glashaboy  (Little  Island)   Lead   WR   150   Part   11/11/2008  
Cork   Glashaboy  (Cobh)   Lead   WR   666   Part   28/07/2010  
Kerry   An  Ceapaigh  Thiar  021d   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   9   Part   06/05/2010   01/08/2013  
Kerry   An  Clochán  028d   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   9   Part   16/07/2010   01/08/2013  
Kerry   An  Fheothanach   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   50   Part   05/08/2009   12/04/2013  
Kerry   An  Mhuiríoch/  Baile  Breach  063d   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   3   Part   05/08/2009   01/08/2013  
Kerry   Central  Regional    Sheheree  408f*   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   50   Part   25/01/2013   29/01/2013  
Kerry   Central  Regional  Lough  Guitane  (H)  400f   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   30   Part   05/08/2009   22/01/2013  
Kerry   Kenmare  045A   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   20   Part   28/07/2009   15/01/2014  
Kerry   Kilgarvan  046A   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   5   Part   05/08/2009   01/08/2013  
Kerry   Mountain  Stage  062a   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   9   Part   28/07/2009  

35  
Laois   Arles  2   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   80   Full   29/03/2013   26/08/2013  
Laois   Camross   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   36   Full   08/10/2013   18/12/2013  
Laois   Coolanaugh   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   39   Full   29/03/2013   26/08/2013  
Laois   Mountmellick  1   Lead   WR   33   Part   14/11/2012  
Laois   The  Strand   E.  coli   BN   9   Full   11/01/2007   19/12/2013  
Limerick   Ballingarry   Cryptosporidium   BN   562   Full   19/03/2013   20/03/2013  
Limerick   Bruff   Lead   WR   18   Part   03/01/2008  
Limerick   Bruree   Cryptosporidium   BN   660   Full   19/03/2013   20/03/2013  
Limerick   Carrigeen   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   50   Full   08/06/2012   22/03/2013  
Longford   Newtowncashel   Free  Chlorine   BN   120   Part   05/09/2011   06/12/2013  
Mayo   Kiltimagh   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   1,555   Full   01/08/2013   08/08/2013  
Mayo   Treannagleeragh   E.  coli   BN   80   Full   06/09/2013   10/12/2014  
Offaly   Birr   E.  coli   BN   3,912   Full   04/07/2013   12/07/2013  
Offaly   Birr   E.  coli   BN   72   Part   06/07/2013   15/07/2013  
Offaly   Dunkerrin   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   12   Part   12/04/2013   26/04/2013  
Offaly   Dunkerrin   E.  coli   BN   21   Part   13/06/2013   25/07/2013  
Roscommon   Boyle   Cryptosporidium   BN   4,300   Full   13/05/2013  
Roscommon   Boyle/Ardcarne   Cryptosporidium   BN   1,700   Full   13/05/2013  
Roscommon   Castlerea  Regional   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   3,443   Full   04/07/2012  
Roscommon   Roscommon  Central   Cryptosporidium   BN   5,500   Full   25/04/2013   09/08/2013  
 Boil  Notice   Affecting  
Population   Date  Notice   Date  Notice  
Area/  County   Scheme  Name   Reason   (BN)/Water   Full  or  Part  
Affected   Issued   Lifted  
Restriction  (WR)   of  Supply  
Roscommon   SRRWSS  -­‐  Killeglan   Cryptosporidium   BN   6,000   Part   24/10/2013  
South  Dublin   Sd_Zone2   E.  coli   WR   4   Part   07/11/2013   28/11/2013  
Sligo   Killaraght   Cryptosporidium   BN   128   Full   14/05/2013  
Tipperary   Ahenny   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   100   Full   12/09/2013   30/06/2014  
Tipperary   Ballinver   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   100   Full   12/09/2013   30/06/2014  
Tipperary   Burncourt  Regional   E.  coli   BN   178   Part   01/09/2009  
Tipperary   Cloran  Regional   E.  coli   BN   9   Part   22/10/2008  
Tipperary   Gortnapisha  Regional   E.  coli   BN   9   Part   22/10/2008  
Tipperary   Templetney  Borehole   Inadequate  Disinfection   BN   20   Part   03/05/2012  
Waterford   Ballydermody   Nitrate   WR   2   Full   12/12/2013  
Waterford   Ballyduff\Ballylemon   Cryptosporidium   BN   75   Part   17/10/2013   29/10/2013  
Waterford   Glenawillin   Nitrate   WR   60   Full   24/05/2010   11/06/2014  
Waterford   Knockalisheen   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   168   Full   05/11/2013   21/11/2013  
Waterford   LCB  Cappoquin   Nitrate   WR   1,500   Full   06/07/2013   09/07/2013  
Waterford   Moores  Well   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   65   Full   21/10/2013   01/11/2013  
Wexford   Castledockrell   Nitrate   WR   80   Full   16/07/2012   31/07/2013  
Wexford   Enniscorthy   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   20   Part   16/10/2013   27/01/2014  

36  
Wicklow   Ballyclogh   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   7   Full   10/07/2013   31/07/2013  
Wicklow   Ballyhenry   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   14   Full   22/07/2013   02/08/2013  
Wicklow   Ballykilmurray   E.  coli   BN   18   Full   14/08/2013   06/12/2013  
Wicklow   Ballyknockan  Valleymount   Enterococci   BN   353   Full   07/03/2013   22/03/2013  
Wicklow   Ballymorris  (Fort  Faulkner)   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   12   Full   12/08/2013   06/12/2013  
Wicklow   Ballymorris   E.  coli   BN   12   Full   28/01/2013   21/02/2013  
Wicklow   Enniskerry   Enterococci   BN   80   Part   14/02/2013   08/03/2013  
Wicklow   Grangecon   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   WR   50   Full   12/07/2012   27/08/2013  
Wicklow   Johnstown  South  (Arklow)   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   6   Full   21/08/2013   25/02/2014  
Wicklow   Knoxstershill   E.  coli   BN   12   Full   14/08/2013   06/12/2013  
Wicklow   Monument  Lane   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   30   Full   20/08/2013   03/02/2014  
Wicklow   Mullans  North   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   6   Full   28/08/2013   23/12/2013  
Wicklow   Roscath   Enterococci   BN   6   Full   14/08/2013   19/12/2013  
Wicklow   Stranakelly   Coliform  Bacteria   BN   9   Full   28/08/2013   23/12/2013  
Wicklow   Thomastown   Precautionary  -­‐  no  exceedance   BN   126   Part   11/02/2013   21/02/2013  
This  is  a  list  of  69  boil  notices  and  water  restrictions  that  are  /  were  the  responsibility  of  Water  Services  Authority  to  resolve.  Additional  notices  are  in  place  in  certain  areas  that  are  the  responsibility  of  the  property  
owner  to  resolve.  See  section  2.2  for  general  information  on  boil  notices  and  water  restrictions.  
 Appendix  6:  Details  of  Remedial  Action  List  Supplies  for  each  WSA  (as  of  December  2013)  
No.  of  Supplies  on  RAL   Progress  on  Completion  of  Remedial  Works  
Original  RAL   Current  RAL   Works   To  be  completed   To  be  completed   To  be  completed   No  Timeframe  for  
Completed   in  2013   in  2014   in  or  after  2015   Completion  
Kerry   41   35   11   4   15   5   0  
Wicklow   22   13   1   3   1   8   0  
Galway   34   12   8   4   0   0   0  
Waterford   18   11   0   6   3   2   0  
Roscommon   10   10   0   0   2   8   0  
Donegal   33   10   0   0   2   2   6  
South  Tipperary   14   9   0   3   2   4   0  
Cork   38   7   0   2   5   0   0  
Meath   8   5   0   4   0   1   0  
Sligo   8   4   0   0   1   3   0  
Mayo   15   4   1   1   1   0   1  
Dublin  City   1   3   0   2   0   1   0  
Dun  Laoghaire  Rathdown   0   3   0   2   0   1   0  
Louth   3   2   0   1   1   0   0  
Kilkenny   7   2   0   0   0   2   0  
Monaghan   12   2   0   1   1   0   0  

37  
Cavan   10   2   0   2   0   0   0  
Longford   5   1   0   1   0   0   0  
Cork  City   1   1   0   0   1   0   0  
Laois   8   1   0   0   1   0   0  
Leitrim   2   1   0   1   0   0   0  
Limerick   12   1   0   1   0   0   0  
Wexford   4   1   1   0   0   0   0  
Carlow   4   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
Clare   9   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
Fingal   0   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
Galway  City   1   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
Kildare   0   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
Limerick  City   1   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
North  Tipperary   6   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
Offaly   8   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
South  Dublin   0   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
Waterford  City   1   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
Westmeath   3   0   n/a   0   n/a   n/a   n/a  
 Appendix  7:  Quality  and  enforcement  information  for  public  supplies  by  county/area  for  2013  
1 2 2 2 3,  4 3 3,  5
Public  Supplies   Parameter  Compliance  (%)   Boil  Notices   Water  Restrictions   RAL   Directions   Audits  
Population   Population   Number   Number  
6
County/  Area   Number   Population   Microbiological   Chemical  
Number   affected   Number   Affected   (end  2013)   Issued   Number  
Carlow   16   47,804   100   99.7   1   1  
Cavan   18   25,025   100   99.6   1   10   1   315   2   1  
Clare   21   79,913   100   100   1   252   4   6  
Cork   179   340,261   99.9   100   3   2816   2   816   7   2  
Cork  City   1   125,230   100   100   1  
Dun  Laoghaire  Rathdown   8   207,350   100   100   3  
Donegal   33   136,294   100   99.1   10   2  
Dublin  City   6   524,000   100   99.8   3   1  
Fingal   2   271,999   100   100  
Galway   38   106,824   99.8   99.4   12   3  
Galway  City   1   75,415   100   100  
Kerry   72   113,645   100   98.5   9   185   35   7  
Kildare   13   190,658   100   100  
Kilkenny   22   61,588   100   99.7   2  
Laois   28   62,900   100   99.7   4   164   1   33   1   3   8  
Leitrim   8   16,406   100   99.3   1  

38  
Limerick   44   121,167   100   99.9   3   1272   1   18   1  
Longford   6   14,852   100   95.2   1   120   1  
Louth   15   99,575   100   99.6   2  
Mayo   24   77,956   99.5   99.5   2   1635   4   1   3  
Meath   64   147,475   100   100   5   5  
Monaghan   10   31,712   100   99.4   2   1  
Offaly   23   44,267   99   100   4   4017   3  
Roscommon   21   48,807   100   98.8   5   20943   10   4   4  
7
Sligo   9   53,551   100   99   1   128   4   2   1  
South  Dublin   4   257,600   100   100   1   50  
Tipperary   54   124,347   100   99.4   6   416   9  
Waterford   115   82,279   99.7   99.2   3   308   3   1562   11   2  
Westmeath   15   62,325   100   99.7   1  
Wexford   41   100,373   100   99.7   1   20   1   80   1   1  
Wicklow   67   111,274   97.6   98.9   14   691   1   50   13   2  
1 2 3
 Full  list  of  public  supplies  available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/publicdrinkingwatersupplies/;   Further  information  in  Section  2.2;    Further  information  
  in  Section  
4 5 6
2.5.2;   Current  RAL  list  is  available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/drinking/;   Audit  reports  available  at  http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/drinkingwater/audits/;   Drinking  Water  
Monitoring  results  and  water  supply  details  for  each  year  since  2000  for  each  county  is  available  at  
7
http://erc.epa.ie/safer/resourcelisting.jsp?oID=10206&username=EPA%20Drinking%20Water.;   Served  by  a  supply  in  County  Roscommon  
Appendix  8:  Extracts  of  HSE/EPA  Joint  Position  Papers  on  Trihalomethanes,  Nitrate  and  Lead  
 

Extract  of  HSE/EPA  Position  Paper  on  Trihalomethanes  (Recommendations)  

Trihalomethanes  are  formed  when  chlorine,  the  most  commonly  used  disinfection  agent  in  Ireland,  reacts  with  naturally  
occurring  organic  matter  in  raw  water.  Overall  the  situation  is  improving  and  the  downward  trend  is  expected  to  
continue  with  the  completion  of  remedial  works  on  supplies  on  the  Remedial  Action  List.  However,  exceedances  in  THM  
levels  continue  to  be  notified.  Studies  examining  the  association  between  THMs  and  drinking  water  show  that  there  may  
be  associations  with  cancer.  These  associations  are  weak,  are  not  consistently  demonstrated  in  scientific  studies  and  are  
unlikely  to  be  large.  However,  the  possibility  that  they  exist  remains.  When  uncertainty  such  as  this  emerges  in  
environment  and  health,  a  precautionary  approach  is  needed.  EU  and  WHO  drinking  water  standards  are  precautionary  
in  that  they  include  a  substantial  safety  factor  and  are  set  at  a  level  that  protects  the  most  vulnerable  over  a  lifetime  of  
consumption.  The  precautionary  approach,  however,  must  be  proportional  to  the  risk  and  should  be  balanced  with  other  
more  immediate  and  known  serious  risks.  

The  approach  in  Ireland  should  therefore  be  as  follows:  

1.  Great  effort  should  be  made  to  minimise  THMs  in  drinking  water.  
2.  Comprehensive  risk  assessment  of  all  breaches  of  the  total  THM  parametric  value  should  take  place.  

3.  All  regulated  drinking  water  supplies  with  persistent  or  intermittent  exceedances  should  go  on  the  EPA  Remedial  
Action  List  and  the  WSA  should  have  an  agreed  plan  of  works  in  place  with  a  precise  timescale.  
4.  The  real  risk  of  inadequate  chlorination,  which  can  occur  as  a  reaction  to  breaches  of  the  parametric  value,  outweighs  
the  risk  associated  with  THMs  and  should  be  avoided.  A  balance  must  be  struck  between  an  uncertain,  small  and  long-­‐
term  risk  associated  with  elevated  THMs  and  the  significant,  large,  immediate  and  serious  risk  associated  with  
inadequate  chlorination  e.g.  E.  coli  O157  outbreak.  

5.  Optimising  the  removal  and  treatment  of  organic  matter  in  raw  water  is  paramount  to  reducing  THMs  in  drinking  
water.  

6.  The  Water  Safety  Plan  approach,  which  identifies  hazards  to  drinking  water  quality  from  catchment  to  consumer,  
should  be  adopted  to  ensure  that  the  drinking  water  supply  is  safe  and  secure.  Implementation  of  this  approach  will  lead  
to  a  reduction  in  the  levels  of  THMs  in  drinking  water.  

Extract  of  HSE/EPA  Position  Paper  on  Nitrate  (Interventions)  

 
Protecting  the  drinking  water  supply  is  paramount.  This  may  require  Local  Authority  inspection  and  enforcement  of  
compliance  with  the  Nitrates  Directive  and  proper  management  and  treatment  of  sewage  and  waste  water  discharges.  
Where  trends  show  an  increasing  concentration  of  nitrate  in  raw  water,  action  may  be  necessary.  Where  nitrate  levels  
repeatedly  exceed  recommended  values  in  drinking  water,  intervention  is  required.  In  the  short  term,  an  alternative  
supply  or  blending/diluting  with  another  supply  may  be  needed.  It  is  possible  to  remove  nitrate  from  water  but  
treatment  is  difficult  and  expensive.  There  are  generally  three  methods  of  removing  or  reducing  nitrate  in  water;  reverse  
osmosis,  ion  exchange  or  blending.  Reverse  osmosis  forces  water  under  pressure  through  a  membrane  to  filter  out  
contaminants.  Ion  exchange  involves  replacing  nitrate  with  chloride  ions  as  it  passes  through  an  ion  exchange  resin.  
Simple  household  treatment  procedures  such  as  boiling,  filtration,  disinfection,  and  water  softening  do  not  remove  
nitrate  from  water.  Boiling  may  increase  the  nitrate  concentration  of  the  remaining  water.  Where  the  nitrate  level  in  a  
water  supply  persistently  exceeds  the  parametric  value  of  50  mg/litre,  an  advisory  notice  may  be  issued  by  the  Water  
Services  Authority  (in  consultation  with  the  HSE)  stating  that  children  under  6  months  of  age  should  not  consume  the  
water  and  that  nobody  should  consume  the  water  if  levels  persistently  exceed  100  mg/litre,  as  this  will  exceed  the  ADI  
[acceptable  daily  intake].  For  non-­‐breastfed  infants  an  alternative  water  supply  or  bottled  water  should  be  used  to  

39  
prepare  infant  feeds.  The  legal  limit  for  sodium  (Na)  in  drinking  water  is  200  mg  per  litre.  Most  bottled  water  is  well  
below  this  level  but  the  label  should  be  checked.  Commercial  bottled  water  is  not  sterile  and  should  be  boiled  once  and  
cooled.  Ready-­‐to-­‐use  formula  that  does  not  require  re-­‐constitution  with  water  can  also  be  used.  

Extract  of  HSE/EPA  Position  Paper  on  Lead  (Key  Points)  

1.  People  should  try  to  drink  water  with  as  little  lead  as  possible,  especially  those  who  are  most  vulnerable,  such  as  
babies  and  young  children.  Consistent  consumption  of  low  levels  of  lead  in  drinking  water  can  have  adverse  health  
effects.    
2.  The  main  source  of  lead  in  drinking  water  is  old  lead  pipes  and  plumbing,  especially  service  connection  pipes  and  
internal  plumbing.    
3.  The  removal  of  lead  in  drinking  water  presents  more  challenges  than  the  removal  of  lead  in  fuel  or  paint,  due  to  issues  
such  as  old  infrastructure,  incomplete  pipe-­‐laying  records  and  costs  to  property  owners.    

4.  The  responsibility  for  actions  to  reduce  the  level  of  lead  in  drinking  water  is  collective  and  requires  actions  on  behalf  of  
the  Water  Services  Authorities,  property  owners  (public  or  private)  and  water  suppliers  or  personnel  installing  or  carrying  
out  works  on  drinking  water  supply  pipes.    

5.  Consumers  in  properties  built  before  around  the  1970s  should  check  whether  lead  has  been  used  in  the  pipework  of  
service  connections  or  internal  plumbing.  This  can  be  done  with  the  assistance  of  a  suitably  qualified  plumber  and/or  by  
testing  the  water  for  lead.  See  ‘Drinking  Water  Consumer  Advice  Note  –  Lead’  at  www.drinkingwater.ie.    

6.  The  legal  parametric  value  for  lead  in  drinking  water  will  be  set  at  10μg/l  from  25th  December  2013.    
7.  Where  a  lead  exceedance  above  the  parametric  value  of  10μg/l  has  been  identified,  flushing  the  cold  water  tap  before  
consumption  may  reduce  the  level  of  lead.  However,  the  effectiveness  of  flushing  should  be  verified  by  testing  the  water.    
8.  If  the  drinking  water  lead  level  remains  above  10μg/l,  an  alternative  source  of  potable  drinking  water  should  be  used,  
especially  by  formula-­‐fed  infants,  young  children  and  pregnant  women.  See  ‘Frequently  Asked  Questions  –  Lead  in  
Drinking  Water’  at:  

http://www.lenus.ie/hse/bitstream/10147/304727/8/HSE_FAQsLeadinDrinkingWater_April2014.pdf  
9.  Replace  identified  lead  distribution  mains  and  any  newly  identified  lead  distribution  mains  as  soon  as  they  are  
identified.  

10.  All  lead  pipes  and  plumbing  in  public  and  private  ownership  should  be  replaced  over  time.    
11.  Water  suppliers  and  personnel  installing  or  carrying  out  works  on  drinking  water  supply  pipes  should  ensure  that  all  
materials  that  come  in  contact  with  drinking  water  are  on  the  list  of  approved  products  and  processes.  

   

40  
Appendix  9:  Infographic  of  Drinking  Water  Report  2013  

 
41  
AN GHNÍOMHAIREACHT UM Monatóireacht, Anailís agus
Tuairisciú ar an gComhshaol
CHAOMHNÚ COMHSHAOIL
• Monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar cháilíocht an aeir agus Treoir an
Tá an Ghníomhaireacht um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil (GCC) AE maidir le hAer Glan don Eoraip (CAFÉ) a chur chun feidhme.
freagrach as an gcomhshaol a chaomhnú agus a fheabhsú
mar shócmhainn luachmhar do mhuintir na hÉireann. Táimid • Tuairisciú neamhspleách le cabhrú le cinnteoireacht an rialtais
tiomanta do dhaoine agus don chomhshaol a chosaint ó náisiúnta agus na n-údarás áitiúil (m.sh. tuairisciú tréimhsiúil ar
éifeachtaí díobhálacha na radaíochta agus an truaillithe. staid Chomhshaol na hÉireann agus Tuarascálacha ar Tháscairí).

Is féidir obair na Gníomhaireachta a Rialú Astaíochtaí na nGás Ceaptha Teasa in Éirinn

roinnt ina trí phríomhréimse: • Fardail agus réamh-mheastacháin na hÉireann maidir le gáis
cheaptha teasa a ullmhú.
Rialú: Déanaimid córais éifeachtacha rialaithe • An Treoir maidir le Trádáil Astaíochtaí a chur chun feidhme i
agus comhlíonta comhshaoil a chur i bhfeidhm chun gcomhair breis agus 100 de na táirgeoirí dé-ocsaíde carbóin is
torthaí maithe comhshaoil a sholáthar agus chun mó in Éirinn
díriú orthu siúd nach gcloíonn leis na córais sin.
Taighde agus Forbairt Comhshaoil
Eolas: Soláthraímid sonraí, faisnéis agus measúnú comhshaoil • Taighde comhshaoil a chistiú chun brúnna a shainaithint, bonn
atá ar ardchaighdeán, spriocdhírithe agus tráthúil chun
eolais a chur faoi bheartais, agus réitigh a sholáthar i réimsí na
bonn eolais a chur faoin gcinnteoireacht ar gach leibhéal.
haeráide, an uisce agus na hinbhuanaitheachta.
Tacaíocht: Bímid ag saothrú i gcomhar le grúpaí eile chun
tacú le comhshaol atá glan, táirgiúil agus cosanta go maith, Measúnacht Straitéiseach Timpeallachta
agus le hiompar a chuirfidh le comhshaol inbhuanaithe. • Measúnacht a dhéanamh ar thionchar pleananna agus clár
beartaithe ar an gcomhshaol in Éirinn (m.sh. mórphleananna
Ár bhFreagrachtaí forbartha).

Ceadúnú Cosaint Raideolaíoch

• Déanaimid na gníomhaíochtaí seo a leanas a rialú ionas • Monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar leibhéil radaíochta, measúnacht
nach ndéanann siad dochar do shláinte an phobail ná don a dhéanamh ar nochtadh mhuintir na hÉireann don radaíocht
chomhshaol: ianúcháin.
• saoráidí dramhaíola (m.sh. láithreáin líonta talún, loisceoirí, • Cabhrú le pleananna náisiúnta a fhorbairt le haghaidh
stáisiúin aistrithe dramhaíola); éigeandálaí ag eascairt as taismí núicléacha.
• Monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fhorbairtí thar lear a bhaineann le
• gníomhaíochtaí tionsclaíocha ar scála mór (m.sh.
saoráidí núicléacha agus leis an tsábháilteacht raideolaíochta.
déantúsaíocht cógaisíochta, déantúsaíocht stroighne,
stáisiúin chumhachta); • Sainseirbhísí cosanta ar an radaíocht a sholáthar, nó maoirsiú a
dhéanamh ar sholáthar na seirbhísí sin.
• an diantalmhaíocht (m.sh. muca, éanlaith);
• úsáid shrianta agus scaoileadh rialaithe Orgánach Treoir, Faisnéis Inrochtana agus Oideachas
Géinmhodhnaithe (OGM); • Comhairle agus treoir a chur ar fáil d’earnáil na tionsclaíochta
• foinsí radaíochta ianúcháin (m.sh. trealamh x-gha agus agus don phobal maidir le hábhair a bhaineann le caomhnú an
radaiteiripe, foinsí tionsclaíocha); chomhshaoil agus leis an gcosaint raideolaíoch.
• áiseanna móra stórála peitril; • Faisnéis thráthúil ar an gcomhshaol ar a bhfuil fáil éasca a
• scardadh dramhuisce; chur ar fáil chun rannpháirtíocht an phobail a spreagadh sa
chinnteoireacht i ndáil leis an gcomhshaol (m.sh. Timpeall an Tí,
• gníomhaíochtaí dumpála ar farraige. léarscáileanna radóin).
• Comhairle a chur ar fáil don Rialtas maidir le hábhair a
Forfheidhmiú Náisiúnta i leith Cúrsaí Comhshaoil bhaineann leis an tsábháilteacht raideolaíoch agus le cúrsaí
• Clár náisiúnta iniúchtaí agus cigireachtaí a dhéanamh gach práinnfhreagartha.
bliain ar shaoráidí a bhfuil ceadúnas ón nGníomhaireacht acu. • Plean Náisiúnta Bainistíochta Dramhaíola Guaisí a fhorbairt chun
• Maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar fhreagrachtaí cosanta dramhaíl ghuaiseach a chosc agus a bhainistiú.
comhshaoil na n-údarás áitiúil.
• Caighdeán an uisce óil, arna sholáthar ag soláthraithe uisce Múscailt Feasachta agus Athrú Iompraíochta
phoiblí, a mhaoirsiú. • Feasacht chomhshaoil níos fearr a ghiniúint agus dul i bhfeidhm
• Obair le húdaráis áitiúla agus le gníomhaireachtaí eile ar athrú iompraíochta dearfach trí thacú le gnóthais, le pobail
chun dul i ngleic le coireanna comhshaoil trí chomhordú a agus le teaghlaigh a bheith níos éifeachtúla ar acmhainní.
dhéanamh ar líonra forfheidhmiúcháin náisiúnta, trí dhíriú • Tástáil le haghaidh radóin a chur chun cinn i dtithe agus in ionaid
ar chiontóirí, agus trí mhaoirsiú a dhéanamh ar leasúchán. oibre, agus gníomhartha leasúcháin a spreagadh nuair is gá.
• Cur i bhfeidhm rialachán ar nós na Rialachán um Bainistíocht agus struchtúr na Gníomhaireachta
Dhramhthrealamh Leictreach agus Leictreonach (DTLL), um
Shrian ar Shubstaintí Guaiseacha agus na Rialachán um rialú um Chaomhnú Comhshaoil
ar shubstaintí a ídíonn an ciseal ózóin. Tá an ghníomhaíocht á bainistiú ag Bord lánaimseartha,
• An dlí a chur orthu siúd a bhriseann dlí an chomhshaoil ar a bhfuil Ard-Stiúrthóir agus cúigear Stiúrthóirí.
agus a dhéanann dochar don chomhshaol. Déantar an obair ar fud cúig cinn d’Oifigí:
• An Oifig Aeráide, Ceadúnaithe agus Úsáide Acmhainní
Bainistíocht Uisce
• An Oifig Forfheidhmithe i leith cúrsaí Comhshaoil
• Monatóireacht agus tuairisciú a dhéanamh ar cháilíocht
aibhneacha, lochanna, uiscí idirchriosacha agus cósta na • An Oifig um Measúnú Comhshaoil
hÉireann, agus screamhuiscí; leibhéil uisce agus sruthanna • An Oifig um Cosaint Raideolaíoch
aibhneacha a thomhas. • An Oifig Cumarsáide agus Seirbhísí Corparáideacha
• Comhordú náisiúnta agus maoirsiú a dhéanamh ar an Tá Coiste Comhairleach ag an nGníomhaireacht le cabhrú léi.
gCreat-Treoir Uisce. Tá dáréag comhaltaí air agus tagann siad le chéile go rialta le
• Monatóireacht agus tuairisciú a dhéanamh ar Cháilíocht an plé a dhéanamh ar ábhair imní agus le comhairle a chur ar an
Uisce Snámha. mBord.
Headquarters and South East Region
Environmental Protection Agency
PO Box 3000, Johnstown Castle Estate
County Wexford, Ireland
Bosca Poist 3000, Eastát Chaisleán Bhaile Sheáin
Contae Loch Garman, Éire
T: +353 53 916 0600
F: +353 53 916 0699

South/South West Region

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Midlands Region
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Lóiste Sevilla, Bóthar Challain,
Cill Chainnigh, Éire
T +353 56 779 6700
F +353 56 779 6798

East/North East Region

McCumiskey House, Richview
Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14, Ireland
Teach Mhic Chumascaigh
Dea-Radharc, Bóthar Cluain Sceach
Baile Átha Cliath 14, Éire
T: +353 1 268 0100
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West/North West Region

John Moore Road
Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland
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F: +353 94 904 8499

E: [email protected]
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LoCall: 1890 33 55 99

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