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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Sample Tests.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

10 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any plans to speed up the time limit from the taking of a water sample to the result of tests being made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I presume that the question relates to publication of the results of drinking water quality monitoring carried out in compliance with the European Communities (Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1988. It is open to sanitary authorities to publish such data collected by them at any stage.

The first national report on the quality of drinking water in Ireland for the year 1989 was published by the Environmental Research Unit in October 1991. Now that the systems for collecting, reporting, compiling and analysing the data on which the report is based have been established, a shorter interval between monitoring and publication should be possible. The national report for 1990 is now at an advanced stage of preparation.

I thank the Minister for his reply. Is it possible for individuals to have samples of water from their own area processed by this method and the results finalised within a reasonable time?

Facilities are available to the public in this regard. I do not recall offhand the normal average cost for having a test done privately. These facilities are available, but the extent to which they could be added to an overall report like this is limited. However, if there is an opportunity to make it more comprehensive in the context of future publications I will see whether that is possible.

I hope that something can be done in this area because many people are concerned about the quality of water even coming from their own taps. Even if samples of water are taken to local authorities, they do not get results very quickly.

There are private facilities available for such testing

Not to the ordinary citizen.

Will the Minister indicate whether all local authorities now comply with the EC Directive in carrying out the testing of drinking water as required? Is he prepared to give a directive to local authorities requiring them to make available the results of the tests which they carry out without first having to send them to the Department of the Environment?

In the context of any problem relating to a water supply, the law is stringent and the public must be informed. In relation to general publication, the onus rests with the local authority and it is my ambition, in so far as it is my responsibility, to see that these matters are made public because people are entitled to know.

Will the Minister issue a directive in that regard?

Will the Minister assure the House that the whole question is not just regulation without implementation? Is he satisfied that all local authorities have the resources, technology and the ability to effectively monitor the quality of drinking water? Furthermore, will he inform the public in relation to where they can go to have samples analysed because there is a dearth of information available to them at present? Some of the public go to health boards.

We have had these questions earlier.

It would be nice to be able to enhance and increase facilities available to all local authorities to take on a wide range of responsibilities as well as monitoring the quality of water. However, we must take our resources into account and I would expect local authorities in essential areas like this to commit their technical resources in the best possible way. I will seek to ensure that local authorities make known to the public in whatever way they can where the responsibility lies. I will seek to ensure that the local authorities publicise where the responsibility lies.

The quality of water is a very important matter. Equally important is the way the Minister deals with the criteria set by the local authorities. The Minister did not state clearly in his reply if he has all the relevant information on the quality of water when he makes decisions on the allocation of funds to local authorities for the improvement of water schemes or waterworks in the local authority area. In my constituency there is great concern in Ennis that the difficulties arising from poor quality water are not recognised.

The first national report on the quality of drinking water is now available and the second report will come on stream very quickly. This is an absolutely new development.

But we did not get any additional moneys.

In spite of himself, the Deputy will be in a much better position to make decisions on these matters in the future because of the information and facilities that will be available from now on.

There is no money.

It is just PR — all shadow and no substance.

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