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BreakingNews.ie
15 hours ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Urgent need for mandatory registration of private drinking water supplies
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said there is an urgent need for mandatory registration of private drinking water supplies. It is raising concerns that many private supplies are not registered, despite serving schools, nursing homes, sports clubs and self-catering accommodation. Advertisement Noel Byrne, the EPA's programme manager of the drinking water and wastewater enforcement team, told Newstalk radio that everyone has a right to safe drinking water, but supplies that are not registered are not monitored. "Many of these businesses with wells are not registered with local authorities and therefore, they're not monitored by local authorities and that's creating a risk to public health, so today the EPA are calling for the mandatory registration of businesses that supply water to the public from their own well, really to make sure that the proper checks are completed by the local authorities on these supply and that removes the public health risks," Mr Byrne said. According to the EPA, over 370 private group schemes supply drinking water to 193,000 people across rural communities in Ireland, not including the businesses and public facilities that supply water from their own wells, called small private supplies. The agency said that almost 1,700 small private supplies are registered with local authorities, but many more are not. Advertisement The EPA said that as a result, the total number of small private supplies in the country remains unknown. Meanwhile, 24 private groups failed to meet E. coli standards in 2024, up from 13 in 2022, the agency said. Six schemes had repeat failures over two consecutive years, five of which are on long-term boil water notices. Meeting E. coli standards is a minimum requirement in the provision of safe drinking water, and failures were recorded in 51 small private supplies that were monitored by local authorities.
RTÉ News
17 hours ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
E. Coli breaches found in private water schemes
A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that there have been a number of breaches in E. Coli standards in private group schemes. The Drinking Water Quality in Private Group Schemes and Small Private Supplies 2024 report has found that 24 private groups failed to meet E. Coli standards in 2024. This is an increase of 13 from 2022. Currently, over 370 private group schemes supply drinking water to 193,000 people across rural communities in Ireland. In addition, many businesses and public facilities supply water from their own private wells. There are almost 1,700 small private supplies registered with local authorities. However, many more are not registered. A gap in current drinking water legislation means the regulations do not require private suppliers to register, meaning the total number of small private supplies in the country remains unknown. These include supplies serving schools, nursing homes, sports clubs and self-catering accommodations. The quality of water in unregistered supplies is not monitored by local authorities. "The lack of a mandatory requirement to register a private supply serving water to the public is a serious legislative gap that must be addressed," said EPA Director Micheál Lehane. "Without registration and subsequent monitoring by local authorities, consumers are unaware of the potential health risk they may be exposed to. "Everyone has the right to safe drinking water. We want to see mandatory registration, but in the interim, we strongly encourage private suppliers to register with local authorities so that all proper safety checks can be carried out on their supply." E. Coli compliance Meeting E. Coli standards is a minimum requirement in the provision of safe drinking water and failures indicate a lack of proper disinfection which must be addressed by water suppliers. While 24 private group schemes failed to meet the E. coli standard in 2024, six schemes had repeat failures over two consecutive years. Five of these are on long-term boil water notices. E. Coli failures were also recorded in 51 small private supplies that were monitored by local authorities, posing a risk to consumers that use these supplies. Noel Byrne, Programme Manager of the EPA's Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring said: "E. Coli contamination of a drinking water supply can cause serious public health impacts. "E. Coli compliance has declined with almost double the number of private supplies failing in 2024 compared to 2022. "This needs to be addressed as every community deserves access to safe, clean drinking water. Suppliers must take action to upgrade their systems and meet standards. "Local authorities, as the regulator of private group schemes, need to take the necessary enforcement action to ensure public health is protected," he added.
The Journal
02-07-2025
- Health
- 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
Agriland
14-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
Over half of Irish septic tanks fail inspections
More than half of septic tanks inspected by local authorities in 2024 failed the inspection criteria. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today (Wednesday, May 14) released the report on Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections 2024, which details the findings of septic tank inspections completed by local authorities in 2024. Domestic waste water treatment systems, mostly septic tanks, are used by householders to treat sewage. There are nearly half a million systems in Ireland. The EPA's National Inspection Plan 2022-2026 requires local authorities to complete a minimum of 1,200 inspections annually, targeted near rivers and in areas where septic tanks are co located with household drinking water wells. 1,390 septic tanks were inspected in 2024 with 56% (773) failing because they were not built or maintained properly. When the tanks fail inspection, local authorities issue advisory notices to householders setting out what is required to fix the problem. The EPA report found that 82% of septic tanks that failed during 2013–2024 were fixed, up from 75% at the end of 2021. The number of advisory notices open more than two years decreased for the first time, from 576 at the end of 2023 to 523 at the end of 2024. Commenting on the report, director of the EPA's Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, Dr. Micheál Lehane said: 'The reduction in the number of old advisory notices (over two years) is to be welcomed, however, the number not resolved remains unacceptably high, allowing risks to public health and the environment to continue. 'Greater and sustained enforcement effort is needed by local authorities during their annual septic tank inspections, checking that faulty septic tanks are fixed and taking legal action where necessary.' Grant scheme for septic tanks The grant schemes for remediation of septic tanks were changed at the start of 2024 to increase the amount from €5,000 to €12,000 and remove the requirement to have registered the tank in 2013. There were 265 grants awarded in 2024, totalling nearly €2.5 million, up from 194 grants in 2023, according to the EPA report. EPA programme manager, Noel Byrne said: 'More than half of septic tanks failed inspection, which is a real concern. 'Householders' water supplies and local rivers may be exposed to contamination from faulty septic tanks, which can pose a serious health risk to individuals and the local environment. By maintaining their septic tank and fixing any problems identified, householders will protect their health and the environment. Householders should take advantage of the enhanced grants where applicable.' Inspections The National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems 2022-2026 was published by the EPA in 2021. The plan requires a minimum of 1,200 inspections from 2023 onwards. There was a shortfall in inspections by four local authorities – Limerick, Donegal, Wexford and Leitrim – in 2024 and the EPA has said that these need to be completed in 2025. The EPA added that it will continue to monitor local authorities that are required to make up these shortfalls in 2025.
RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
56% of septic tanks fail to meet required standard
More than half of 1,400 domestic septic tanks inspected by local authorities last year failed to meet the required standard. The Environmental Protection Agency said this is a real concern because failures pose a serious health risk to individuals and the environment. It is calling for greater and sustained enforcement effort by local authorities. There are nearly half a million septic tanks in Ireland. They are installed where properties are not connected to the public sewage system, to treat sewage from households on site. However, today's Domestic Wastewater Treatment Inspections Report from the EPA says many septic tanks are not built or not maintained properly, and more than half of them pose a risk to human health and the environment. Local Authorities inspected 1,390 septic tanks last year, focusing on those close to rivers and household drinking water wells. More than half, 56%, failed those inspections. Poor maintenance, septic tanks not being desludged, the discharging of effluent into ditches or streams, leaks, and effluent ponding were the most common faults. Household drinking water wells can become contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses from faulty septic tanks. People may be exposed to sewage if it surfaces in gardens or runs off into ditches and streams. Excessive releases of nitrogen and phosphorus can cause pollution in receiving waters. Local authorities issue advisory notices when septic tanks fail inspection, setting out what needs to be done to fix the problem and informing homeowners about remediation grants of up to €12,000 that are available. Last year 265 grants were awarded. The average amount was about €9,400. Michael Kehoe, of MK Environmental Solutions, a company in Wexford that replaces old septic tanks on restricted sites, says the grant application process is straightforward. "I operate a bit like a one-stop-shop. I do the initial assessment, the design solution, the sign off and certification, and the grant application paperwork for people. "You do have to wait six or seven weeks from the time you make your application before you get your payment back from the council. But overall, it's a fantastic system," he says. Despite this, 523 advisory notices were still open, indicating the problems had not been fixed, two years after householders had been informed. Also, a 17% increase in inspections between 2023 and 2024 resulted in a 24% increase in the failure rate. This might suggest a more extensive inspection regime by Local Authorities could uncover a possibly lower average standard overall. EPA Programme Manager, Noel Byrne, said there are three simple steps householders need to do. "They need to go down the garden and look around their septic tank and percolation area and see if there are any problems. They need to desludge, or empty out their tank, once every three or four years. "That would only cost them €300. And, if they have a drinking water well, they need to get it tested once a year. Doing those simple steps will protect their family and the environment," he said. "Householders should take advantage of the enhanced grants where applicable," he added. The EPA said there was a shortfall in septic tank inspections last year in counties Limerick, Donegal, Wexford and Leitrim. Those Local Authorities must now make up these shortfalls in 2025. Official figures show 18% of septic tanks that failed inspection over the past decade were still not fixed by the end of last year. Dr Micheál Lehane, Director of the EPA's Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, said the number of unresolved advisory notices is unacceptably high, allowing risks to public health and the environment to continue. He called for greater and sustained enforcement effort by local authorities and for them to take legal action where necessary.
