The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned it will take 50 years to take out all the lead pipes in the water system at the current rate of removal.
The Drinking Water Report published today says that Irish Water's failure to improve treatment plants has left many water supplies vulnerable and poses a risk to the health of a large portion of the population.
The report says overall quality was high, with 99.5% of samples taken in 2020 across Ireland’s 740 public drinking water supplies are compliant for microbiological and chemical standards producing water that is safe to drink.
However 46 water supplies, serving one million people, are vulnerable and require significant work. It also says more than 15,500 people were on boil-water notices for longer than one month last year.
Progress
The report highlights the ongoing progress made by Irish Water in reducing water supplies classed as being at risk by the EPA, with a further 11 supplies removed from the Remedial Action List (RAL) in 2020 benefitting over 100,000 people. This work continued throughout 2021, with an additional six supplies removed so far this year, benefitting over 660,000 people. As a result the population on the RAL reached its lowest ever figure by mid-2021, according to Irish Water and the company says it is continuing with its plans to address all remaining supplies.
Since 2014, Irish Water has been working in partnership with Waterford County Council, to address water quality issues across the county.
In 2020 there were boil water notices in four Waterford locations - Kill/Ballylaneen, Grallagh, Kilgobnet and Scrothea.
Irish Water has carried out essential upgrade works at Ballyhane, Colligan, Croan Upper, Inchinleamy, Lismore, Smoorebeg, Stradbally, Tallow and Ring/Helvick.
The company says its Waterford Disinfection Programme is now complete. Disinfection systems at 28 plants have been upgraded and standardised and operational upgrades to public water supplies and pumping stations are complete.
These sites include: Aglish Cul Rua, Ballyheaphy, Ballymacarbry, Ballysaggart, Camphire, Coolboa Reservoir, Deelish Ballinacourty, Dungarvan, Dunhill Ballynageeragh, Dunhill Cois Cille, Faha, Fews, Garravone, Inchinleamy, Kilbrien, Killenagh (Strancally), Kilrossanty, Ballyduff, Cappoquin, Melleray, Modelligo, Monamon, Monea, Rathgormack, Stradbally, Tallow, Tourneena and Villierstown.
