Vol. 522 No. 4
38 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views of the recently published EPA document entitled Take Action Now, which warned that some parts of the country faced a high risk of E-coli contamination in drinking water; the steps being taken to address the serious problems identified in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18641/00]
I welcome the recent publication by the EPA of Take Action Now, which is a companion booklet to the millennium state of the environment report. The booklet summarises key aspects of the current state of Ireland's environment and the challenges that face us in the new millennium. It identifies many concrete actions that each person can take, which often saves money while protecting the environment and improving quality of life.
The booklet indicates that the potential for contamination of groundwater, from agriculture and septic tanks, is high in some areas. I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 14 today as to the measures which are being taken to monitor and protect groundwater, and to improve drinking water in particular in group water schemes.
