Progress on removing lead from drinking water pipes 'far too slow', watchdog warns
Uisce Éireann needs to eliminate lead from drinking water networks, as well as ensure water is free of bacteria and chemical substances like pesticides.
In its 2024 Drinking Water Quality report, the EPA has said that the quality of drinking water from public supplies in Ireland remains very high overall, with more than 99.8 per cent of collected samples showing compliance with standards.
The EPA identified that good progress has been made in areas such as disinfection and completion of risk assessments.
However, progress on removing lead from the supply network remains far too slow.
EPA Programme Manager Noel Byrne said that 'lead in our drinking water is a cumulative risk to human health and must be removed from our supply network'.
Advertisement
'The risk is greatest for young children, infants and babies in the womb,' Byrne said.
'Despite Ireland having a National Lead Strategy in place since 2015, progress to date has been far too slow,' he said.
'The legal limit for lead in our drinking water will halve in 2036 (from 10ugl to 5ug/l) – so much greater focus is needed by Government Departments and Uisce Éireann to remove lead from the supply network and public buildings.
'The EPA welcomes the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage commitment to review progress in 2025.'
The report also noted that there were 45 supplies serving 497,000 people on the EPA's list of 'at-risk' supplies (Remedial Action List) in 2024 for Uisce Eireann to address.
This was a decrease from 57 supplies serving 561,000 people) in 2023.
Additionally, there were 33 long-term boil water notices in 2024, down one-third from 2023 levels.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Water fixes will come at a delayed cost
One of the most counterintuitive news stories of the year surfaced on Wednesday when we learned of the threat to our drinkable water supply. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that the water supply for half a million Irish people is at risk, naming several areas that have a supply which is neither robust nor resilient. Among the areas under threat are Limerick City (115,000 people), Co Kildare (81,000), one supply in Louth (46,000), Glashaboy in Cork (23,000), and almost 21,000 people in Wexford town. To the lay person, it may seem extraordinary that a country with such plentiful rainfall should have issues with its supply of drinkable water — the issue is, of course, more complicated than that. Micheál Lehane, director for the EPA's office of radiation protection and environmental monitoring, has stated that long-term sustained investment in water infrastructure is needed, while there are also more immediate challenges. For instance, only 37% of public-sided lead connections have so far been removed. While this is slow work by Uisce Éireann, that organisation is not helped by the failure of the Department of Housing and the Department of Health in publishing a plan on lead replacement in public buildings. That failure means nobody knows how many public buildings have unsafe levels of lead in their drinking water. Lately, we have seen a focus on the challenge of water supplies for major infrastructural projects, and by calling these issues out, the likes of Seán O'Driscoll of the Economic and Social Research Institute have done the State considerable service. However, when Dr Lehane says sustained investment in our water service infrastructure is needed to provide drinking water resilience, that means money. And money means charges. Despite the ham-fisted way in which water charges were mooted a decade ago, and the widespread protests against those charges, we will eventually have to face a hard fact. A safe, reliable water supply costs money, and we will have to pay for it. Powerful message in the name of Pride Last weekend, the Budapest Pride march took place in the Hungarian capital, attended by more than 200,000 people. In a piece for this newspaper, Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman wrote: 'In 30-degree heat, this enormous crowd slowly walked the 2.5km Pride Parade route from the City Hall, crossing the gigantic Elizabeth bridge, and finishing along the west bank of the Danube river. There were so many people, it took over three hours to cover the short route.' The significance of the march and the vast crowd who participated is that it took place in the face of strong opposition from the Hungarian government. The country's prime minister, Viktor Orbán, issued a statement earlier this year advising the organisers of Pride 'not to bother preparing for this year's parade. It would be a waste of money and time'. Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary. Picture: Rudolf Karancsi/AP Mr Orbán is close to leaders such as US president Donald Trump and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and has openly sympathised with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Widely regarded as an authoritarian presence, after telling the Pride march organisers 'not to bother' running their event, he and his government gave permission for up to four 'counter-demonstrations' to take place — including one by the Our Homeland Movement, a haven for far-right extremists. In contrast, those who took part in the Pride march risked fines, while facial recognition technology was deployed to identify participants. The event organisers themselves were liable for criminal prosecution. Those marching sent a powerful message to their government, rejecting their efforts to spread a message of hate. In the modern world, we are often at a loss when it comes to registering our opposition to the creep — both gradual and swift — of intolerance. Those marching through the streets of Budapest last weekend showed by their presence that they want no part of Mr Orbán's vision for Hungary, and they deserve huge credit for their bravery in doing so. Sheer generosity of Brother Crowley The death was announced on Wednesday of Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin. He was 90. Brother Crowley was born in Enniskeane in West Cork and founded the day centre in 1969, which provides food and services for approximately 800 people every day. The contribution he made to Irish society was immense. President Michael D Higgins paid a warm tribute, describing him as 'a warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need', and itemising the invaluable contribution of the day centre: 'The hot meals, food parcels, clothing, showers, family services, and medical and dental services have not just extended care of the most vulnerable, but has been exemplary in showing a fundamental respect for the dignity of each person and allowed so many of those who have availed of the services to rebuild their lives.' Brother Crowley and his colleagues saved many lives through practical intervention rather than by formulating plans or muttering platitudes. As noted by the president, they also respected the dignity of those people using their services. The record of the Catholic Church in Ireland has been terrible in many areas of Irish life, but it would be remiss not to acknowledge the contribution of someone who helped thousands of people through deeds rather than preaching. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Read More Irish Examiner view: Education is a priceless asset
The Journal
21 hours ago
- The Journal
Progress on removing lead from drinking water pipes 'far too slow', watchdog warns
PROGRESS ON PROTECTING public health by getting lead out of water supply networks and homes is 'far too slow', the Environmental Protection Agency has warned. Uisce Éireann needs to eliminate lead from drinking water networks, as well as ensure water is free of bacteria and chemical substances like pesticides. In its 2024 Drinking Water Quality report, the EPA has said that the quality of drinking water from public supplies in Ireland remains very high overall, with more than 99.8 per cent of collected samples showing compliance with standards. The EPA identified that good progress has been made in areas such as disinfection and completion of risk assessments. However, progress on removing lead from the supply network remains far too slow. EPA Programme Manager Noel Byrne said that 'lead in our drinking water is a cumulative risk to human health and must be removed from our supply network'. Advertisement 'The risk is greatest for young children, infants and babies in the womb,' Byrne said. 'Despite Ireland having a National Lead Strategy in place since 2015, progress to date has been far too slow,' he said. 'The legal limit for lead in our drinking water will halve in 2036 (from 10ugl to 5ug/l) – so much greater focus is needed by Government Departments and Uisce Éireann to remove lead from the supply network and public buildings. 'The EPA welcomes the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage commitment to review progress in 2025.' The report also noted that there were 45 supplies serving 497,000 people on the EPA's list of 'at-risk' supplies (Remedial Action List) in 2024 for Uisce Eireann to address. This was a decrease from 57 supplies serving 561,000 people) in 2023. Additionally, there were 33 long-term boil water notices in 2024, down one-third from 2023 levels. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Drinking water is safe but problems persist with THMs, lead and other contaminants, says EPA
Almost 500,000 people in the State are served by 'at-risk' water supplies which need to be urgently addressed by Uisce Éireann , the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said. While public water is safe to drink for the vast majority of people, the agency's drinking water report for 2024, published on Wednesday, shows there were 45 supplies serving 497,000 people on the at-risk list – down from 57 supplies (serving 561,000 people) in 2023. The quality of Irish drinking water from public supplies remains very high, with more than 99.8 per cent of samples compliant with bacterial and chemical standards, but Uisce Éireann must ensure the supply network is more resilient, the EPA said. It acknowledges progress but warns moves 'to protect public health by removing lead from our supply networks and houses is still far too slow'. READ MORE The legal limit for lead in drinking water will halve in 2036 (from 10 micrograms per litre (ugl) to 5ug/l) – 'so much greater focus is needed by Government Departments and Uisce Éireann to remove lead from the supply network and public buildings'. It also highlights a problem of persistent levels of toxic trihalomethanes (THMs), which has been repeatedly highlighted by the EU. THM limits were exceeded in 31 supplies, compared to 41 in 2023, while pesticide limits were exceeded in 23 supplies – the same as 2023. Complete upgrades of supplies on the at risk list are needed to address issues with THMs and the parasite cryptosporidium, which can make people ill, 'without delay', it says. The report highlights storms in late 2024 and early 2025 resulted in significant disruption to supplies. Boil water notices were required due to the impacts of Storm Bert; Storm Darragh and Storm Eowyn in successive months. They caused power outages at treatment plants, resulting in water treatment processes being compromised, while extreme rainfall caused high turbidity – making water murky – with some plants unable to adequately treat water, the EPA notes. The EPA acknowledges a reduction 'long-term boil water notices' in 2024, down by a third to 33. Uisce Éireann said the report confirms public drinking water supplies meet 'exceptionally high standards'. This reflected sustained investment and operational improvements across the country with more than €1.3 billion invested in 2024 by the utility in upgrading water and wastewater treatment plants and networks, 'enhancing resilience and safety for communities', it said.
