EPA releases water quality report

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland has released a report called the Provision and Quality of Drinking Water in Ireland.


It examines water quality between 2007 and 2008 and includes details on cases of failure.

EPA received and assessed 283 notifications of failure to meet drinking water standards between January and September 2008.

The body also audited 59 water treatment facilities, issued 47 legally binding directions to 15 local authorities and prosecuted Galway County Council for failing to comply with direction.

EPA Director Dara Lynott called for sustained investment into infrastructure that can deliver potable water.

“Clean drinking water is vital to sustain our health and well-being and we rely upon it, particularly those involved in the services, manufacturing and tourism industries,” he said, adding such investment was crucial for development.

Tests found one case of E coli in 52 out of 952 public water supplies – down from 77 cases in 2006.

It was recently announced the UK government has released a draft of its new flood action plan to help deal with natural disasters involving water.

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