Vol. 523 No. 5
227 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of homes in Dublin and Cork that have drinking water supplied through lead piping; the plans he has to replace lead piping for the delivery of public water supply; the estimated cost of such replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21583/00]
The Greater Dublin Water Supply Strategic Study published in 1996 estimates that about 92,000 properties in the greater Dublin area and 20,000 properties in Cork city have lead service pipes connecting the properties to the public water mains. Service pipes are normally the responsibility of the property owner. No breakdown is available for either location as between domestic and non-domestic properties.
The 1998 EU Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC) reduces the parametric value for lead from 50 micrograms per litre under the previous directive to ten micrograms per litre. A 15 year timeframe to the end of 2013 is specified for achieving compliance with the new standard with an interim value of 25 micrograms per litre to be achieved by the end of 2003. Compliance with the interim standard is generally achievable through appropriate treatment at water treatment plants. Limited sampling of houses in Dublin, known to have lead services, indicates that up to 80% may already be in compliance with the 2013 standard. Full assessment of the extent of the works required and the cost implications of meeting the new lead standard must, however, await determination of a recommended sampling method for lead. Proposals in this regard are awaited from the EU Commission.
