Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Water Treatment Plants.

John Gormley

Question:

275 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the contingency plans in relation to a malfunction in equipment at water treatment plants as a result of the Y2K millennium bug in view of the toxic effects of elements such as hydrofluosilicic acid which is an extremely toxic waste product from the fertilising industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23165/99]

John Gormley

Question:

277 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the water treatment plants with computerised facilities for adding or recording the levels of fluoridating agent; his views on whether these could be vulnerable to Y2K disturbance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23176/99]

John Gormley

Question:

280 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the procedures to facilitate Y2K compliance on water treatment plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23214/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 277 and 280 together.

Local authorities who are responsible for the supply and treatment of water have year 2000 remedial programmes in place for some time now and are reporting progress to my Department every month. Latest returns to the end of October indicate that critical water treatment and supply systems are now Y2K ready in all authorities.

The specific information sought regarding the locations of computerised flouridation systems is of an operational nature and is a matter for the relevant local authorities. However, my Department has engaged consultants who specialise in the area of water treatment and supply systems to assist local authorities with remedial work, to review progress in each local authority and to report to the Department on local authority progress with Y2K remedial programmes.

In the latest progress report to the Department dated 27 October the consultants have reported the following findings: there is no increased risk to water supply due to year 2000 problems originating within the local authorities' equipment; there is no increased risk to water disinfection systems due to year 2000 problems originating within the local authorities equipment; and there is no increased risk to final effluent quality due to year 2000 problems originating within the local authorities' equipment. Contingency planning is the responsibility of each local authority. However, part of the brief of the consultants is to assist local authorities with the preparation of contingency and business continuity plans. Returns from authorities to date indicate that these plans are being completed satisfactorily.